Ankle Fusion (Arthrodesis) Surgery Abroad
Ankle Fusion Surgery Cost Package: 4,000 to 8,000 U.S. Dollars
{Package covers all the medical and logistic costs at the destination}
Costa Rica [USA Joint Commission International Accredited Hospitals]
India [Harvard Medical Affiliated & USA Joint Commission Accredited Hospitals]
Mexico [World Class Hospitals]
The Ankle fusion operation, also called ankle arthrodesis, is performed
to alleviate ankle pain. People suffering from ankle arthritis or degenerative
arthritis are likely candidates for this operation, provided non-surgical
means of treatment like physiotherapy and strength-building exercises have
been tried without much benefit. Ankle fusion surgery leaves the ankle permanently
stiff but pain-free.
Ankle fracture or injury and deformities like flat foot, high-arched foot, or club foot may also necessitate this type of ankle surgery.
Ankle Fusion Operation - Procedure Overview
Ankle fusion surgery requires a lot of skill from the orthopedic surgeon. It can be done in a minimally invasive way, using the arthroscope, or through the open surgery method.
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.
Open Method
There are many ways in which ankle fusion surgery can be done. The incisions are made on the inner and outer side of the ankle. The ankle joint is opened up and the surgeon removes the articular cartilage surfaces. The joint is then put in the correct place and fixed with two or three screws.
To hold the bones in place while they fuse, the bones are held together by
large metal screws and metal plates.
Arthroscopic Method (Minimally Invasive Ankle Surgery)
The procedure is more or less similar to the open surgery technique, except
that smaller incisions are made in this method. The entire procedure is performed
by the surgeon looking at the joint through the arthroscope.
It has been found that patients
show faster recovery and increased satisfaction with arthroscopic
ankle surgery than with open ankle fusion. This is because the smaller incisions
in the arthroscopic method make for lesser disruption of the soft tissues
and help better blood supply to the bone. All this assists faster healing
and recovery. Additionally, the mini incisions, lower the risk of infection,
in comparison with the open method.
However, the minimally invasive method is not suitable for complex deformities.
Also, the time taken to perform the surgery is more than the open method:
about 2 and a ½ - 3 hours.
Preparing for Ankle Fusion Operation
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Understand as much as possible about the surgery, what it entails, and
the prognosis.
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You will have to go through a complete physical examination and evaluation,
including blood tests, to determine if your health condition is right
for the operation.
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If you have any infection in your teeth or elsewhere in the body, it
needs to be cleared completely before the operation.
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Inform your doctor regarding the routine medications that you take,
if any.
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Smokers should try and cut down or stop smoking during the weeks before
and after the operation, as smoking slows down the recovery process significantly.
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Request friends or family to help you with the daily chores, like cooking,
shopping, laundry, etc. If that doesn't work for you, consider hiring
help as you will need to rest for quite a few weeks after the surgery.
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On the day of the surgery, you will perhaps be admitted to the hospital
in the morning. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night
before the operation.
Arthrodesis Aftercare
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Patients going home the same day of surgery must not drive.
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An adult should accompany the patient back home and stay with him/her that night.
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You will wear a cast and then an ankle brace for 2-3 months. During this time, you will probably need crutches.
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Maintain a normal body weight
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Do light exercises while avoiding heavy impact workouts, and eat a healthy diet.
Risks/Complications of Ankle Fusion Surgery
Ankle fusion surgery has a high
success rate from 80-100%. There is always a chance that the bones
may not fuse as intended either because the joint was not placed correctly
during the surgery or because the bones moved while in the plaster cast. And
this may necessitate a revision surgery. The success of the ankle fusion surgery
depends on the reason that necessitated it. For instance, patients undergoing
ankle arthrodesis after a bacterial infection or neuropathic ankle arthropathy
will often have poor results.
There will be certain permanent limitations on the movement of the ankle. Like, for instance, you won't be able to run after an ankle fusion, but there should not be much problem in achieving a near-normal walking gait.
Like with all surgeries, the ankle fusion surgery also comes with some risks.
They are:
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Swelling
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Infection
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Improper positioning of the ankle joint: During the operation, the patient
is lying down. Hence, sometimes, the best position may not be achieved.
Malpositioning can be accommodated by wearing insoles and special shoes.
Further surgery is required only in a few cases
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Non Union: The ankle joint may not fuse and the bone may not grow across
the joint. This happens only in 5% of the cases. Smokers are more likely
to develop this risk. Non union may result in a lot of pain and further
surgery is usually required.
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Nerve damage: The superficial peroneal and the sural nerves lie very
close to the incision site and stand the risk of being damaged, and could
cause numbness near the ankle and toes.
Some complications may last a lifetime, some may crop up.later on. These are:
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Adjacent joint arthritis: Ankle arthrodesis results in more load falling
on the bones adjacent to the ankle joint. Hence, degenerative arthritis
may set in.
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Inequalities in leg length: The length of the leg is often compromised,
in an attempt to achieve a good fusion in ankle arthrodesis. A difference
of 2.5 cm is tolerated well by the patient, but anything more than that
will cause problems.
Benefits of Ankle Fusion Operation
The permanent limitations on ankle movement will not make a difference in
the case of end-stage arthritis patients who would have anyway lost considerable
mobility.. And while, it may not be possible to run or do load-bearing activities,
arthrodesis will significantly reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients.
Differences between Ankle Fusion and Total Ankle Replacement (TAR)
Image Source: www.aaos.org
(On the left is an ankle fusion image and on the right is an ankle replacement
image.)
Direct comparison of the outcomes of ankle fusion and ankle replacement isn't possible because of the differences in their indications. (Ankle replacements are usually indicated for younger people.) However, some differences have been seen.
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Ankle replacement patients have an increased
risk of device-related infection and need major revision procedures.
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In ankle arthrodesis, the joint is fused together. This restricts the
up-down motion. An ankle replacement, on the other hand, allows a more
normal 'function', though it may not be perfect.
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A successful ankle fusion will last the patient a lifetime, unlike an
artificial ankle that may wear out.
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It is very hard to find the perfect size fit for ankle replacement. The
wait period for an allograft ankle replacement may be a week or even a
year. Ankle fusion, however, does not have any such wait time as nothing
is replaced.
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Although extremely rare, diseases may be transmitted through bone grafts
in ankle replacement.
Cost of Ankle Fusion Operation Abroad
The average cost of an ankle fusion operation in the U.S. can be as high as
$30,000. Hence, people traveling abroad for ankle fusion surgery stand to
gain significantly, as the cost of ankle fusion surgery in India, Mexico,
Costa Rica and other major medical tourism destinations is very low. Even
when costs like air fare and accommodation are factored in, the savings remain
considerably huge.
With the low cost of ankle surgery, there is also the benefit of top quality treatment at JCI-accredited and ISO-certified hospitals abroad. The orthopedic surgeons in India, Mexico, and Costa Rica are as qualified as their counterparts in US hospitals and speak English fluently.
Hence, the advantages of an ankle fusion operation abroad are many.
But the overseas hospital and orthopedic surgeon should be selected with care.
Related links:
Open Reduction and Fixation for Broken Ankle
Bunionectomy
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
Ankle Fusion Surgeons in Mexico:
Dr
Dario E Garin: Educated in the U.S.A. and Mexico, Dr Garin is an expert
orthopedic surgeon from Mexico experienced in joint reconstruction and arthroscopy.
Dr.
Jesus Irineo Gallarzo Ramirez: He has vast experience in joint replacement
surgery and has many satisfied patients from the U.S.
Ankle Fusion Surgeon in Costa Rica:
Dr.
Oscar Oeding Bermudez: A third of Dr Bermudez's clients are medical tourists
from the U.S., Europe, and Canada. This orthopedic surgeon from Costa Rica
performs three or four surgeries per day.
Ankle Arthrodesis Surgeons in India:
Dr
Kaushal Malhan: Dr Malhan has seven years of training and work experience
in the U.K. Dr. Malhan has performed hundreds of joint replacement surgeries.
He also has several medical publications to his credit.
Dr
Sanjay Pai: He has more than 18 years of experience in orthopedic surgery.
Dr Pai has trained in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
Dr P Suryanarayana: He has had extensive education and experience in India and abroad. Dr Suryanarayana is an expert in primary and revision joint replacement.
Dr
Yash Gulati: He has trained in the UK and Ireland apart from India. He
is an expert in joint replacement surgery.
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates affordable ankle arthrodesis
operation abroad at many international locations including Mexico, India and
Costa Rica. Fill out the free estimate request form for a free quote and more
information.
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