Jasz
VIP Contributor
Preparing for ankle replacement surgery is an important step to ensure the best possible outcome. The process of preparing for this type of surgery begins when you're first diagnosed as requiring ankle replacement surgery and lasts until the day you're ready to go home from the hospital.
The first step to preparing for ankle replacement surgery is scheduling your procedure with an orthopedic surgeon. This is a two-part process: first, you'll need to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, who can then refer you to an orthopedic surgeon qualified to perform ankle replacement surgery.
If you have diabetes or any other chronic conditions, it's essential that you discuss these with both your primary care doctor and your orthopedic surgeon, if they haven't been informed already.
Once you have scheduled your appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, he or she will walk you through what will happen on the day of your surgery.
Your doctor will perform routine tests to assess your overall health. You'll likely need a complete physical examination as well as a chest X-ray, heart monitor, and blood tests. If you have any underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, they will be monitored very closely in the days leading up to the surgery.
You may be asked to stop taking certain medications—usually blood thinners and anti-inflammatory medications—in advance of your procedure. Your doctor may also recommend that you take some time off from work prior to the procedure so that you can focus on healing and recovery following your operation. You have to adjust your lifestyle too, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, use bleaching cream.
