The goal of Ankle Arthrodesis is to fuse or glue together (arthrodesis) the ankle joint.
This type of surgery does affect the up and down movement of the ankle. You will however not
lose all of the up and down movement, but about 75% of it. This depends of course on how much
movement in the ankle you have already lost.
Frequently after ankle injury or arthritis, there is very little movement in the ankle, so you
will not notice the loss of the up and down movement of the foot. The side-to-side
movement (inversion and eversion) of the back of the foot is not affected by an ankle arthrodesis.
Hardware is inserted into the ankle joint to hold the joint together while the fusion occurs.
Ankle Fusion Recovery - General Facts
You will not be walking on the leg for 6-8 weeks
In order to stay off your foot, you will need to use crutches, a walker, a wheelchair or a
scooter-type device called a roll-about
There will be a hard plaster bandage applied to the leg for two weeks after surgery
Your first follow-up visit will be at approximately 2 weeks to remove the stitches
We will apply a boot at this time
If the surgery is on your left ankle, you should be able to drive an automatic vehicle at two
weeks. If the surgery is on the right foot, you may drive at about 6 weeks or sooner after
discussion with your doctor
You may begin to walk in the boot at about 6 weeks, depending upon your level of discomfort and
the instructions were given to you
There will be moderate swelling of the foot, ankle, and leg for about 6 months
You will continue to improve your strength for about 12 months after the surgery
Specific Post Operative Recovery
Week 0-2
Foot wrapped in a bulky bandage and hard plaster splint
Ice, elevate, take pain medication, and expect numbness in the foot for 12-24 hours
Week 2-6
First follow-up in the office, the dressing is changed
Placed in a surgical boot and no weight bearing on the foot at all for 6-8 weeks
Week 6-8
X-rays taken
Full weight-bearing is allowed in the boot for 6 weeks
