Have you ever sprained or fractured your ankle? Have you ever had an issue with the tendons in your foot or ankle?
Chances are, the answer to one of these questions is “yes”.
Ankle sprains, fractures and tendon injuries are very common. Although these injuries usually heal without serious problems, if left untreated they can cause a great deal of pain and possible damage to the ankle.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of ankle injuries and the procedures, recovery and costs associated with them.
Type: Sprains
The ankle is one of the areas on body that is most vulnerable to being sprained. When the foot turns or twists beyond its normal range of motion and stretches ligaments abnormally, an ankle sprain can occur. Although playing sports is a leading cause of ankle sprains, simply stepping the wrong way or tripping can easily cause a sprain. If an ankle sprain does not heal after many weeks or months of resting, icing the area, elevating the foot or bandaging the ankle, and undergoing physical therapy then a podiatrist may recommend surgery to repair the torn ligament(s).
Procedure
Surgery for ankle sprains is extremely rare, and only very severe sprains should be operated on. If surgery is indeed needed, the surgeon will either repair the ligament primarily or use a combination of bone anchors and tissue grafts to reconstruct the ligament complex.
Post Ankle Surgery Recovery
After surgery for an ankle sprain, it is imperative that the patient does not put any weight on the ankle until the wound is healed. Depending on the severity of the sprain, rehabilitation can be necessary for weeks or even months.
Type: Fracture
Ankle fractures are also common injuries, usually occurring after accidents, falls, or twisting the ankle. If a patient has a fractured ankle, he or she will most likely feel pain and experience swelling and/or bruising. Typically, if the fracture is not stable or the bones are in a complicated position, surgery will be needed. There are also very severe instances in which the fracture can cause bones to poke through the skin. These injuries, known as open ankle fractures, will also require surgery.
Procedure
After anesthesia is given to the patient, the surgeon will usually make incisions where the bones of the ankle are fractured. The surgeon will then reposition the bones and hold them in place with screws and/or plates.
Post Ankle Surgery Recovery
After surgery for a fractured ankle, the patient’s leg will be placed in a splint. Many patients will be able to leave the hospital right after surgery. However, in more serious cases they may be required to stay overnight. The ankle will need to be immobilized for several weeks, and once the wound is healed a removable boot is typically prescribed. This boot will protect the ankle, and will also give the patient the ability to remove it for washing and icing. As the ankle heals, the patient will be able to place more weight on the foot. In some cases, physical therapy will be necessary to regain full motion of the ankle.
Type: Achilles Tendon Injury
The largest and strongest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Without proper use of the Achilles tendon, a patient will not be able to walk correctly. If a patient has ruptured their Achilles tendon, surgery may be recommended.
Procedure
It is typically an outpatient procedure to repair an Achilles tendon. The surgeon will usually make an incision right above the heel bone. After the two ends of the ruptured tendon are found, they are freshened up and sewn back together with sutures. There are other procedures that may also be used to repair the Achilles tendon, and the method will be determined by the surgeon.
Post Ankle Surgery Recovery
After surgery, the patient is usually placed in a splint. Placing weight on the foot will be discouraged, and the patient may use crutches or a walker to stay mobile. The splint and stitches will be removed after two weeks and then a cast is applied for a few weeks. Next, a removable boot may be prescribed, which will protect the foot while more weight is allowed to be placed on it. After six weeks, it is common for the patient to attend physical therapy.
Cost
The cost of any type of ankle surgery will depend upon your health insurance coverage. The total surgery or a portion of it may be covered. Surgery costs will depend on your insurance carrier and the type of plan that you have. Here at the Timonium Foot and Ankle Center, we would be more than happy to check your benefits for you to let you know the entire cost up front.
Ankle Surgery Consultation
Dr. Jordan Stewart of the Timonium Foot and Ankle Center is one of the top foot and ankle surgeons in the Baltimore Maryland metro area. He is certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
If you would like to see what some of his patients have to say about him, and their experience, just click here.
Do you think you may need, or are considering having ankle surgery? Give us a call today at 410-560-2777 or fill out the short form on the top right of this page.