Ankle Surgery Singapore: Understanding Surgical Options for Foot and Ankle Pain and Injuries
Even if you are not actively engaged in sports or strenuous activities, your feet and ankles are still prone to injuries, as they bear your body weight throughout day-to-day activities at home and at work.
Fortunately, ankle surgery Singapore surgeons perform offers relief from pain and averts further complications. There are trusted doctors in the country that offer specialised medical care for foot-and ankle-related problems.
If you are suffering from foot and ankle pain, know that there are several treatment options available. Here we go through some of the surgical options, so you’ll be familiar with the procedures when consulting with your doctor.
Treatment Options for Foot and Ankle Pain and Injuries
Treatment for foot and ankle problems vary depending on a patient’s needs, specific concerns, and lifestyle. Non-surgical alternatives include the use of prescribed drugs and orthopaedic devices. Physical therapy sessions can also help alleviate pain and improve motion, stability, and strength in the ankle joints.
Surgery may be recommended if the pain is persistent and your condition is already affecting the quality of your life. It may also be recommended if other options are not effective, and you have poor response to medications. Consult an orthopaedic specialist to get the best advice on whether surgery is a suitable option for you.
Types Of Foot and Ankle Surgery
In cases where injuries are severe or nonoperative treatments are not effective, surgery can be recommended. Among the common types of ankle surgeries include:both can be categorised as a medical condition affecting sense of sight and your appearance), but other potential risk factors include improper use of contact lenses, excessive eye rubbing, eye surgery, and underlying medical conditions.
Bunion Surgery
Bony lumps on the toes or the side of the feet that cause deformities are surgically corrected. A patient undergoes osteotomy, where the big toe and metatarsals are straightened.
Ankle Arthroscopy
This minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery repairs damaged cartilage, torn ligaments, and loose bone fragments. The procedure is done using an arthroscope inserted through a small incision.
Ankle Arthrodesis (Ankle Fusion)
This surgical procedure involves the removal of damaged tissue and the fusion of ankle bones. Plates, nails, or screws are used to compress and hold the bones together, so they naturally fuse into one bone. However, this may reduce the range of motion in the ankles.
Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA)
For patients with advanced arthritis, total ankle replacement can be recommended as an alternative to arthrodesis. The damaged parts of the ankle bones are replaced with prosthetics. This relieves pain and maintains natural ankle motion, but the prosthetics can be damaged during high-impact activities.
Ankle Distraction Arthroplasty
This procedure focuses on joint restoration to reverse the effects of arthritis. It involves the mechanical unloading of diseased joints to provide pain relief without causing damage to the ankle joint.
Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction (Broström Procedure)
The Broström procedure is typically done for recurrent ankle sprains. The reconstruction tightens and firms ankle ligaments. This helps strengthen and stabilise the ankle.
Benefits Of Foot and Ankle Surgery
Not all foot and ankle injuries require surgery. Some can be treated using casts, walker boots, and other support materials. However, there are cases where ankle and foot surgery bring immense benefits to the health and wellbeing of a patient. Among the benefits of ankle surgery are:
- Reduced swelling
- Long-lasting relief from pain
- Prevention of further cartilage injury
- Better foot stability
- More fluid walking gait
- Improved appearance of feet
All of these help improve your mobility and enable you to go about your normal activities without any discomfort.
Risks Of Foot And Ankle Surgeries
Like any other surgery, procedures for the foot and ankle would also have some risks involved. Some of the usual complications are pain, infection in the surgical site, and unsightly scarring. More serious complications include allergic reactions, blood clots, nerve damage, and bone infection. To minimise the risks, get Singapore ankle surgery from registered surgeons in accredited hospitals and health centres.
Recovery Period
The period of recovery for ankle surgeries varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and the patient’s rate of healing. A minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure and enable a patient to return to work in just a few weeks. Complex surgeries often require patients to be admitted for a day or two after the operation and may take a full year for complete recovery.
Whatever procedure you undergo, it is important to follow your surgeon’s advice to ensure complete healing and faster recovery. You might be asked to keep your leg propped up for two weeks or so until the swelling subsides. If your ankle is put in a cast, you will need to keep the cast for about six weeks. It will take longer before you can resume your usual activities. Your orthopaedic specialist will also refer you to a therapist who can guide you in your rehabilitation program.
Ankle Surgery Cost Singapore Clinics Charge
The actual cost of ankle surgery in Singapore will vary according to your specific condition, the type of surgery, the surgical facility, and other factors. Your total fees would include medication tests, consultation fees, operation fees, cost of implants, ward charges for inpatient procedures, and other fees.
To give you an idea of how much to prepare, the fee benchmarks for conventional ankle surgery published by the Ministry of Health estimate a total bill of around $2,500 at subsidised public hospitals and centres. The approximate bill at private hospitals and clinics is $20,000+. The bulk of the bill goes to doctors’ fees, with surgeons charging $6,000 to $7,500 and anaesthetists $1,220 to $1,600.
Timely Diagnosis is Critical for Ankle and Foot Surgery
Even minor foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious complications. When you feel pain in your ankles due to an accident or an existing health condition, make sure to consult with your doctor as soon as possible. A timely diagnosis will prevent further harm. Consult foot and ankle surgery specialists to ensure that you get the best treatment possible, so you can engage in activities pain-free and live your life to the fullest.
