Ankle Fusion

• Performed under general anesthesia, often with a nerve block; may be done open or arthroscopically.
• Usually a short hospital stay of a night or less.
• No weight-bearing on the leg for roughly six to twelve weeks while the bones fuse, using crutches, a scooter, or a walker.
• X-rays confirm the fusion is healing, typically around three to four months.
• Full recovery, including a settled walking pattern, commonly takes six months to a year.

Ankle fusion trades some motion for a stable, pain-free ankle, and recovery centers on letting the bones grow together solidly. Most people keep weight off the ankle in a cast or boot for six to twelve weeks while the fusion heals, using crutches, a knee scooter, or a walker to get around. Once healing is confirmed, weight-bearing and walking build up gradually over the following months. Nearby joints adapt to compensate for the fused ankle, and many people walk comfortably afterward. Full recovery can take up to a year. Report fever, drainage, increasing pain, or a cast area that becomes newly painful or numb.