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 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.
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:
Some complications may last a lifetime, some may crop up.later on. These are:
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.
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.
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.
Open Reduction and Fixation for Broken Ankle
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
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.
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.
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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