When Fusion Is Considered

Severe arthritis or deformity of the ankle and hindfoot can cause constant pain swelling and difficulty with walking standing at work and daily activities Causes include long standing osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis post traumatic changes after fractures and complex deformities such as those following neglected clubfoot or Charcot neuroarthropathy in diabetes When bracing medicines and joint preserving surgery are no longer effective and pain dominates fusion surgery which joins bones together to eliminate movement at a diseased joint can provide a stable pain free platform for walking

Ankle Arthrodesis

Ankle arthrodesis is the fusion of the tibia and talus It can be performed through open or arthroscopic approaches depending on the situation The surgeon prepares the joint surfaces by removing remaining cartilage and shaping bone surfaces then brings the bones into a corrected alignment and fixes them with screws and possibly plates to hold them until solid fusion occurs In selected patients external fixation frames may be used especially when soft tissue coverage is poor or infection is present Once fused the ankle joint no longer moves but pain is significantly reduced and neighbouring joints can often compensate for some lost motion

Triple Fusion and Other Hindfoot Procedures

When arthritis involves multiple joints in the hindfoot such as the subtalar talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints a triple fusion or selected fusions may be performed These operations stabilise and realign the hindfoot in cases of rigid flatfoot severe cavus foot or arthritic deformity The goal is a plantigrade pain free foot that fits into normal footwear though side to side movement is reduced Careful planning ensures that remaining joints are left mobile when possible to preserve function

Recovery and Long Term Function

Fusion surgery requires a period of non weight bearing or protected weight bearing using a cast or boot while the bones knit together which may take several weeks to months depending on smoking status diabetes and bone quality Once union is confirmed on X rays patients gradually progress to full weight bearing and rehabilitation with strengthening and gait training Many people are able to walk longer distances and stand for work without the arthritic pain they experienced before surgery although they may notice reduced ability to run or walk on uneven terrain Appropriate shoe wear and sometimes custom insoles further improve comfort

Why Choose Livasa Hospitals for Ankle and Hindfoot Fusion

Livasa Hospitals offer ankle and hindfoot fusion surgery within a comprehensive foot and ankle service including preoperative assessment imaging diabetes and vascular evaluation surgical planning and postoperative rehabilitation This team based approach is particularly important in complex deformity and diabetic foot cases where limb salvage depends on careful balance between bone stability and soft tissue health

Livasa Hospitals Punjab Network Contact

Livasa Healthcare Group Network of Multi speciality Hospitals in Punjab
Corporate Office Phase 8 Industrial Area Sector 73 Punjab 160071 India