Post operative program for Total Ankle Replacement

Week 1

You will be in hospital for approximately 2 nights after your operation. The operated leg will be in a plaster slab. This is a cast from just below the knee to the base of the toes and consists of plaster of paris slabs held on with wool and crepe bandaging. The cast feels soft at the front and hard at the back and allows for any swelling to stretch the bandages
Your leg must be elevated on pillows to minimise swelling
Toe movements are to be performed frequently
The physiotherapists will help you to get out of bed on the first post-operative day. You will need crutches or a frame and will not be able to put weight through the operated leg

Week 2

The back slab cast will be changed in the outpatient clinic and the wound checked. Any stitches will be removed or trimmed and the leg will be placed in a light weight fibre glass cast. You may rest this cast on the ground for balance but will not be walking on it
You are allowed to move around using the crutches to assist you. The leg must be elevated when resting to minimise swelling

Week 3 to 6

The cast will remain in place and be removed at 6 weeks after the operation
You are allowed to be more mobile using your crutches to get around and can start to get out more but the leg must not be allowed to hang down for long periods. 20 -30 minutes is enough or excessive swelling may occur.
Driving is only possible if you have an automatic car and surgery was on the left ankle
You may take up to 50% of your body weight through the cast in weeks 5 & 6

Week 7 onwards

Physiotherapy will commence to regain movement in the ankle and other foot joints. You will start to walk on the ankle with full weight through the leg once the cast is removed. Sometimes extra support may be required and a removable splint or boot may be used to help mobility
You may begin to drive a car from week 7
Physiotherapy will be continued depending on progress
Swelling is expected to persist for approximately 3 months after surgery although it may persist for longer
Gradually walking distance will increase and the end point of recovery after surgery is in the region of 9 -12 months but you can expect good independent function somewhere between 3 and 6 months from surgery

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Post operative program for Total Ankle Replacement Week 1 You will be in hospital for approximately 2 nights after your operation. The operated leg will be in a plaster slab. This is a cast from just below the knee to the base of the toes and consists of plaster of paris slabs held on with wool and crepe bandaging. The cast feels soft at the front and hard at the back and allows for any swelling to stretch the bandages Your leg must be elevated on pillows to minimise swelling Toe movements are to be performed frequently The physiotherapists will help you to get out of bed on the first post-operative day. You will need crutches or a frame and will not be able to put weight through the operated leg Week 2 The back slab cast will be changed in the outpatient clinic and the wound checked. Any stitches will be removed or trimmed and the leg will be placed in a light weight fibre glass cast. You may rest this cast on the ground for balance but will not be walking on it You are allowed to move around using the crutches to assist you. The leg must be elevated when resting to minimise swelling Week 3 to 6 The cast will remain in place and be removed at 6 weeks after the operation You are allowed to be more mobile using your crutches to get around and can start to get out more but the leg must not be allowed to hang down for long periods. 20 -30 minutes is enough or excessive swelling may occur. Driving is only possible if you have an automatic car and surgery was on the left ankle You may take up to 50% of your body weight through the cast in weeks 5 & 6 Week 7 onwards Physiotherapy will commence to regain movement in the ankle and other foot joints. You will start to walk on the ankle with full weight through the leg once the cast is removed. Sometimes extra support may be required and a removable splint or boot may be used to help mobility You may begin to drive a car from week 7 Physiotherapy will be continued depending on progress Swelling is expected to persist for approximately 3 months after surgery although it may persist for longer Gradually walking distance will increase and the end point of recovery after surgery is in the region of 9 -12 months but you can expect good independent function somewhere between 3 and 6 months from surgery Back to Patient guides
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