Tips For A Smooth Recovery After Ankle Replacement Surgery

Healthy ankle joints play a major role in ensuring that a person can stand and walk properly. When the ankle joint becomes damaged due to arthritis or injury, extreme pain, inflammation, and limited mobility can result. When this happens, ankle replacement is often recommended. During ankle replacement surgery, the damaged ankle joint is replaced with an artificial implant. Ankle replacement surgery typically has good outcomes, and after the recovery period, pain is eliminated and mobility is restored. If you are undergoing ankle replacement surgery in the near future, use the following tips to help you recover afterward.

Use Your Crutches

After your surgery, your ankle will be immobilized with a splint or a boot. For the first few weeks after surgery, it will be very important to not place any weight on your surgically repaired ankle in order to prevent complications. Thus, you will need to use crutches any time that you need to get around. It is essential to use crutches at all times until your surgeon tells you that you can discontinue their use. It is important to note that in the days following surgery you will need to rest as much as possible and limit movement, but you can use your crutches to help you get to the bathroom.

Watch for Signs of Infection

Since your ankle will either be in a boot or splinted and bandaged, you will not be able to see your incision after surgery. However, you will need to pay attention and watch for any signs that the incision may be infected. These can include a sudden increase in pain or running a fever. If you have any reason to believe that your surgical incision may be infected, it is important to contact your surgeon right away. Antibiotics and other interventions may be needed to get the infection under control.

Engage in Physical Therapy

In order to regain full range of motion in your replaced ankle, you will need physical therapy. Your surgeon will let you know when you should begin physical therapy. You will meet with a physical therapist to work on a number of stretches and exercises that will strengthen your ankle and help with range of motion. In addition to in-person physical therapy sessions, you will be prescribed exercises to do on your own. Staying on top of your physical therapy will help ensure that you make a complete recovery from surgery. 

To learn more, contact a resource like the Ankle & Foot Clinic Of Everett.