Ankle fusion surgery is often needed for patients with end-stage arthritis of the ankle. Some people develop this condition after an ankle injury, such as a fracture; for other patients, rheumatoid arthritis or damage to the blood vessels supplying the ankle may also cause end-stage disease. Ankle fusion gives the ankle additional support; it can be performed in an open procedure where the physician makes a large incision over the ankle or the procedure may be performed through a small incision with a camera. Either type may have some complications.
Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury
During ankle fusion surgery, either the nerves or blood vessels that supply the ankle and foot may be damaged. If a small nerve is injured, the patient may experience numbness of the foot in different areas; according to the FootEducation website, an injury to a larger nerve during ankle fusion surgery could also lead to pain in the foot as well. If a blood vessel is injured during the procedure, the foot might not be able to get enough blood to the tissues, which might ultimately require an amputation.
Infection
After an ankle fusion surgery, as with any surgery, the incision may become infected. Any infection after surgery will need antibiotics and may even need another procedure to drain off the infection.
Nonunion of the Bones
Nonunion or pseudarthrosis of the joint occurs when the bones of the ankle do not heal or knit together as expected. If a patient is a smoker or has an underlying medical condition, he may be at higher risk for nonunion of the ankle. This condition often requires an additional procedure to fix the problem and the ankle must be completely immobilized for a longer amount of time to allow the bones to heal.
Malunion of the Bones
In some instances, the bones in the ankle may heal in the wrong position, which is called a "malunion," according to the eOrthopod website. This complication may not require further intervention; it depends on the degree of misalignment and whether it interferes with the patient's ability to walk. If it is too disruptive, the surgeon can attempt to realign the ankle for better function.
