Ankle Fusion Surgery in NJ

The purpose of ankle fusion surgery is to permanently fuse the bones in your ankle together. This procedure typically involves two or more bones and is preceded by debridement, which is the removal of degenerative cartilage and other debris. Once the swollen cartilage is cleared from the area, your ankle fusion surgery specialist from NJ Spine and Wellness will align your foot bones in the proper position. Finally, metal hardware components — like screws, pins, and rods — are used to hold the bone in position; as the bone cells grow, the ankle is fused into one structural unit and the metal hardware can be removed.

Before your ankle fusion surgery, your NJ Spine and Wellness doctor will consult with you to discuss what you can expect after the procedure. Although the recovery time after ankle surgery varies from patient to patient, you can expect to stay a day or more in the hospital while your team of specialists monitors your condition and tends to your incision site. There may be pain present immediately following the surgery, but it generally subsides in a couple of days.

Before you leave the hospital, you’ll be fitted with a splint and/or crutches; while your ankle specialist will provide you with instructions on how to move your foot safely, you most likely won’t be able to put full weight on it for a few months. During your recovery period, ensure that you keep all your follow-up appointments as well as do your recommended physical therapy exercises to speed the rehab process.

Your ankle fusion physical therapy will be a rehabilitation journey lasting several months or more. While protocols will vary from case to case, you can generally expect a slowly progressing program that begins with toe curls and toe spreads and eventually ends in a return to physically demanding sports or work. Along the way, you’ll encounter several types of ankle fusion physical therapy, including:

• Leg raises
• Gentle foot movement
• Knee flexion, extension
• Isometrics
• Stretching
• Aqua exercises
• Soft tissue treatments
• Gait training
• Swimming
• Lunges, calf raises, toe raises, and squats
• Sports-simulated exercises
• And more

Arthritis is typically the main cause and condition that leads to ankle fusion surgery. Not only can it cause stiffness, swelling, and pain, but it can also result in loss of mobility and even inhibit your ability to walk. When it comes to the ankle, the three most common forms of arthritis are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis that’s caused by autoimmune issues that can affect the body’s joints
• Osteoarthritis which comes from everyday wear and tear
• Arthritis resulting from a previous joint injury

For some patients, the permanent fusion of their ankle bones could result in limited flexibility that can inhibit certain activities. However, the specialists at NJ Spine and Wellness perform minimally invasive ankle fusion surgeries whenever possible to allow for a full recovery and a return to most normal activities.

While each patient’s rehabilitation period is unique, you can typically expect to be doing physical therapy for at least 16 weeks or more, depending on your specific case.