Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Ankle fusion: The surgical solution to painful ankles


Image Source: brisbanediary.com



Osteoarthritis is a painful and debilitating disease that provides for a very unpleasant experience for those who unfortunately have it. The disease is also degenerative, which means that the structure and functions of the organs affected will gradually deteriorate with the passage of time.

A joint that is most frequently affected by osteoarthritis is the ankle joint, which is essential to a person’s locomotion. Due to its location, the joint takes on a weight-bearing role, which also means that it is more susceptible to the wear and tear that comes with the acquisition of the disease.

If the ankle pain becomes so unbearable that all activities of daily living (ADLs) are practically hindered, then orthopedic specialists might recommend ankle fusion (also known as ankle arthrodesis), a surgical procedure that aims to treat a worn-out joint.


Image Source: thefootandankleclinic.com


During the procedure, the surgeon gently removes the surfaces of the ankle joint, thus allowing the tibia (the shinbone) to grow and eventually fuse with the talus (the bone immediately below the tibia and the fibula). The surgery also involves the implantation of fixation devices, either internal or external, to ensure a proper fusion of the bones involved. Fusion is then promoted by the insertion of bone-graft material which is often obtained from a different part of the body.


Image Source: orthopedics.childrenscolorado.org


People who are currently living with degenerative arthritis need not suffer the excruciating pain brought by their condition. To learn how you can undergo ankle fusion surgery under Satori World Medical’s Global Network, visit this website.

1 comment:

  1. To help aid the healing of the ankle, wearing an ankle brace could be tremendously helpful too! SEE: BraceAbility

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