Life After Ankle Replacement

An ankle replacement surgery can mark the beginning of a new chapter in your life — one that’s free of the pain of arthritis or a traumatic ankle injury. 

But like all surgeries, deciding to move forward with an ankle replacement is a big commitment. If you’re on the fence about ankle replacement, imagining what life might look like after an ankle replacement can help you move forward.

Read on as our board-certified orthopedic surgeons here at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County share what life looks like after an ankle replacement.

Your initial recovery

When you have an ankle replacement, your end goals are:

• Freedom from pain
• Improved range of motion
• Improved mobility 

To get to that point, you’ll have to first go through your initial recovery period. During your post-surgery recovery period, your top goals are to manage surgical pain, care for your incisions site, help your ankle heal properly, and regain strength. 

You can expect that life immediately after your ankle replacement is a bit slow: You'll need to focus on healing from surgery. You won’t be able to put weight on your ankle until our team clears you to do so; expect to use crutches or a walker to get around.

During this time, rest, catch up on your favorite books or podcasts, eat nourishing foods, take your pain medication as directed, and follow all of your post-op instructions carefully. 

Getting started with physical therapy 

Physical therapy is an important part of all orthopedic surgery, and ankle replacement surgery is no exception. Our physical therapy team works with you to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in your ankle joint through targeted exercises and stretches. 

Physical therapy can also help control swelling as well as improve your gait, ankle stability, and overall balance. Through your physical therapy program — whether that’s in our Bloomfield Hills or Clarkston, Michigan, office — you’ll move from light exercise (like isometric or passive exercises) and shift to more active exercises as you heal. 

A quick tip for physical therapy: While the road to full recovery may be challenging at times, staying committed to your physical therapy regimen can significantly enhance your outcomes, reduce your risk of implant failure, and help you regain confidence in your ability to move comfortably. If you struggle to complete your exercises at home, consider setting calendar reminders or sticky notes to help you stay on track with your exercises.

Celebrating pain-free mobility

Chances are good that if you needed an ankle replacement, your arthritis (or injury) severely limited your mobility. As your ankle heals and you progress through rehabilitation, you'll likely notice improvements in your ability to walk, stand, and engage in daily activities without experiencing the debilitating pain that once hindered you — and perhaps that’s the best benefit of surgery of all!

Being able to walk without pain can be liberating. It can also have a tremendous impact on your mental health. Both chronic pain and mobility issues can take a toll on your mental wellness.

Adjusting to your new ankle

As you progress in your recovery, you'll likely begin to reintegrate activities that you once enjoyed but may have been limited by ankle pain and dysfunction. Whether it's walking, hiking, or cycling, you might find that you’re rather excited to get back to your old favorite activities.

In addition to reintegrating your favorite activities, your new ankle may also make your daily tasks easier. For example, walking your dog or even walking around at work may no longer cause the same pain as before.

Just be sure to ease back into these activities as directed by our team. Listen to your body and pull back the intensity if needed.

Protecting your ankle for years to come

While ankle replacement surgery can provide significant relief and restore functionality, it doesn’t mean your new ankle is indestructible. The average prosthetic ankle joint lasts up to 10 years, but carrying excess weight and participating in high-impact activities could lower this number.

The good news is, there are many things you can do to promote long-term joint health and to ensure the longevity of your implant. 

This includes:

• Exercising regularly (aim for 150 minutes of low-impact activities per week)
• Continuing with the ankle exercises recommended by your physical therapist
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Losing weight (if needed)
• Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke (smoking can compromise wound care)

To learn more about your upcoming ankle replacement or to schedule a surgery consultation, reach out to us at 248-335-2977. Or, simply book an appointment online.