How Long Does Ankle Surgery Take

An talocrural joint fracture is ane of the most common injuries, every bit twisting, rolling, or bending it tin cause the bone to break. People constantly employ their ankles to walk, jump, or run, and ane wrong move is all it takes to push the joint too far. Ankle fractures typically happen considering of falls, car accidents, or twisting of the ankle. The ankle joint is made upwards of the tibia (shin) and fibula (outer leg). In that location are two malleoli (os ends) on the tibia and ane on the fibula. When an ankle is fractured, the malleoli are broken. Ane, 2, or all three malleoli can be cleaved.

Symptoms

If yous've injured your ankle, there will be a few telling signs if it's fractured. Commencement, there will be a lot of hurting and a nifty deal of swelling. The talocrural joint bone will be hobbling or noticeably plain-featured, and you'll have problems moving your talocrural joint. You won't exist able to put whatever weight on your foot without feeling pain, and the joint will exist tender to the touch.

Signs You May Need Surgery

Most ankle fractures don't require surgery, but if the talocrural joint is unstable or the bones aren't positioned correctly, information technology will demand to be repaired surgically. And if there'due south a portion of your talocrural joint bone sticking out of the peel, this is an open fracture that volition require surgery. Also, if your ankle feels unstable, the bones are probably shattered and you'll need to have them surgically put back together with pins or screws.

Talocrural joint Surgery

After undergoing a concrete examination by a doctor, discussing your medical history, and having X-rays and possibly additional tests performed, your physician will determine whether y'all need ankle surgery. When the process takes place, the bone fragments of the ankle must be re-positioned into the appropriate alignment. The surgeon will then insert screws or metal plates on the outside of the os. Sometimes, a metal rod is placed within the bone until it's healed.

Recovery

Each injury is different and every body heals at its own pace, but information technology will take at least half dozen weeks for your bones to heal. If you've also torn ligaments or tendons, the healing time will be longer. Later surgery, you lot won't be able to move your leg to let yourself to heal and avoid the risk of re-injury. You lot'll continue to visit your doctor for checkups and X-rays to run across how the healing process is going. He or she volition tell you when information technology'due south time to start putting some weight on your pes when the bones are strong plenty to handle it. Once the bones are healed, your doctor volition likely suggest rehabilitation. This is a series of exercises and stretches that will allow you lot to regain full movement and strength in your ankle. Information technology could take up to a few months to a year to go back to normal.

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