Preparing for an ankle replacement surgery

In the weeks leading to your scheduled ankle replacement surgery, it’s crucial that you take steps to ensure that the operation goes without a hitch, says orthopedics professional Dr. Ryan Shephard. This entails spending time talking to your doctors to make a clear plan and get yourself physically and mentally ready.

Get in touch with your primary care doctor, physical therapist, and anesthesiologist. It’s best to get a physical exam before the procedure, especially if you have an existing, long-term health condition like, say, diabetes. Your physical therapist would measure how well your ankle functions before the surgery and get a good idea of how to check your progress post-operation. They should also be able to guide you in using a walker or crutches. Your anesthesiologist will ensure that you have a pain-free surgery.

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If you are taking prescription and other over-the-counter medication, make sure to inform your surgeon. For example, you may have to stop taking anticoagulants and pain relievers and seek alternative medication or treatment as you prepare for the operation.

Stick to any direction given by your doctor or surgeon on how to stay clean, from bathing or showering instructions to the use of special soaps. Also, prepare your home for recovery by committing to a one-floor living to minimize your post-surgery movements, especially climbing stairs.

Get rid of tripping hazards such as cords and rugs on your floor. Arrange for someone to be with you for the first few days after the operation. Finally, if you are a smoker, quit. Smoking hurts your heart and blood vessels, just making the recovery time much longer, adds Dr. Ryan Shephard.

Dr. Ryan Shephard completed his residency specializing in orthopedic surgery at McLaren Macomb in Mt. Clemens in Michigan. When not busy with work, he likes engaging in various sports activities like soccer, volleyball, softball, kayaking, football, and swimming. For related posts, visit this blog.

Hip replacement: Common implant material options

A hip replacement operation typically involves removing the damaged hip joint and replacing it with an artificial implant. Surgeons such as Dr. Ryan Shephard have different options for implant materials. The selection depends on various considerations, including the nature of the deformity or abnormality of the hip, the age and lifestyle of the patient, and doctor’s preference.

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Some of the most common materials are the following:

Metal and plastic

Possibly the most commonly used hip replacement implants, the prosthetic made of these materials is comprised of a metal implant, usually titanium or stainless steel, to replace the ball-and-socket hip joint, and then using polyethylene, a high-quality plastic, as spacer in-between. The implant is fused to the bone either by press-fitting the implant into the bone and allowing new bone to develop around the implant or by cementing the prosthesis in place.

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Ceramic

Surgeons like Dr. Ryan Shephard determine whether a patient has allergic reaction to metals. Should an allergy be detected, ceramic can be used as an alternative implant material. Ceramic parts can be used in combination with other components, such as special metal or plastic. Ceramic exhibits high durability properties, but it is more fragile than metal, thus, the latter remains a more viable option for many.

Metal-on-metal

This option is similar to the previous one, however, no insertion of plastic material is made in between the implants. While it was discovered that the metals have good wear characteristics, there remains concern about the metal debris the implant might produce. Historically, there have been no data showing that metal ions have an adverse effect on one’s health, but further studies are still recommended.

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