Are you afraid of ankle surgery? Let's talk about it simply!

Have you ever twisted your ankle while running, jumping, or playing a game like cricket? Or has the joint pain that comes with age now also affected your ankle and is making it so painful that you can't even walk? Sometimes these problems can be cured with medication, ointments, and physical therapy, but sometimes the doctor may say, "We need to do a little surgery." It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you hear those words. But don't worry, today we will talk about all this ankle surgery in simple Sinhala that you can understand.

Simply put, what is ankle surgery?

Ankle surgery is any surgical procedure that is performed to correct a problem or condition in your ankle. Remember, your ankle is not just a joint. It is a complex structure made up of several bones. These bones are held together by cartilage and ligaments. These bones are moved by muscles and tendons. So, when you have ankle pain, it could be a problem with any of these areas. Doctors only consider surgery when other treatments have failed to relieve the pain or repair the damage.

What types of conditions are treated with ankle surgery?

Surgery is often required for conditions like the ones below. You may have seen these words on your medical record.

When is surgery necessary?

Most ankle problems can be treated without surgery. But sometimes, no matter what treatment you try, they don't work. If you continue to have difficulty using your ankle to do things, or if your doctor thinks that the condition will get worse without surgery, then surgery may be recommended.

What are the main types of ankle surgery?

Now let's see what these surgeries are. Because of the advancement in technology, most surgeries are now performed using a camera inserted through small incisions (Minimally Invasive Surgery) . This is called ankle arthroscopy . Here, instead of a large incision, several small incisions are made and a camera and delicate instruments are inserted through them to perform the surgery. However, in some serious cases, open surgery , which means a slightly larger incision, is also required.

Now let's look at some of the main types of surgery.

1. Ankle Fracture Surgery

If you break a bone in your ankle, this surgery is done to help it heal properly. This involves inserting metal plates, screws, and wires to hold the broken bone in place. Sometimes, ligaments are damaged when the bone breaks. In that case, they are repaired during the surgery.

2. Ankle Impingement Surgery

As I mentioned earlier, extra bone fragments and tissue can get stuck inside the ankle joint, causing pain. It's like something getting stuck in a door jamb and making it impossible to open or close. This surgery removes the stuck unnecessary parts and allows the joint to move freely.

3. Ankle Fusion Surgery

This is done for people with very severe arthritis . Here, the surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone, brings the upper and lower bones together, and secures them with metal plates and screws. Over time, the two bones fuse together, becoming one.

• Benefit: Joint pain is completely gone. You can bear weight and walk without pain.
• Disadvantage: Once the joint is welded, it cannot be bent or extended . This means the ankle loses its flexibility. But doctors fix it in a way that makes it easier to walk and stand.

4. Ankle Ligament Reconstruction

Do you often roll your ankle? Do you roll your foot even when you have a small heel? This may be because the ligaments in your ankle are weak and have not healed properly. This surgery involves stitching and tightening the weakened ligaments . This is also called the Brostrom procedure . In very severe cases, a damaged ligament may be replaced with tissue from another area.

5. Ankle Tendon Repair

Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. This surgery is performed when these become torn or if there is persistent inflammation (tendinopathy). The damaged tendon is removed, and if it is torn, it is stitched and repaired. If the tendon is severely damaged, a tendon transfer may be performed. This involves replacing the damaged tendon with a tendon from another area.

6. Total Ankle Replacement

This is a surgery similar to a knee replacement. It is also called arthroplasty . This involves removing the damaged part of the ankle joint and replacing it with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic. This is a good option for people with severe arthritis and those who do not want to undergo a joint fusion. This can relieve pain and preserve some mobility in the joint.

What are the risks of surgery?

Like any surgery, ankle surgery carries a few minor risks, but these are very rare.

• Infection: If the surgical wound is not kept clean, germs can enter.
• Blood Clots: Blood clots can form in the legs due to being in one place for too long after surgery.
• Reactions to Anesthesia: Some people can have allergies to anesthesia medications.
• Wound healing problems: Wounds take longer to heal in people with diseases like diabetes.
• Damage to surrounding nerves or blood vessels: This is a very rare occurrence during surgery.

How long does it take to heal?

This will vary depending on the type of surgery you had, but this is what usually happens.

Thinking about surgery can be overwhelming, especially if it's not an emergency. Everyone wants to try all the other options. But there are some ankle problems that just won't get better unless they're fixed. Surgeons can remove what's causing your pain and restore proper function to your joint. If you trust your doctor and have some patience and dedication during your recovery, you'll definitely find pain-free relief.