Physical Therapy Before Ankle Replacement

Prior to your scheduled ankle surgery, you may have the opportunity to visit the physical therapist for a preoperative examination and preoperative treatment/intervention plan. One purpose of this visit is to get a baseline of information including the location and severity of your pain, your functional abilities, your strength, the available motion of each ankle, and your breathing. An assessment will also be made of any needs you will have at home (e.g., equipment, safety adaptations) once released from the hospital.

During the preoperative visit you will receive information about physical therapy after surgery, as well as, have time to practice some of the bed mobility activities and the positions and exercises you will use after surgery.

You will be trained in the use of either a walker or crutches. You will be non-weight bearing immediately after the surgery, so you will receive preoperative instructions in how to maintain the non-weight bearing status.

Your therapist will discuss precautions for you to follow after surgery. The following are some of the precautions that may be issued:

• Avoid weight bearing on the foot
  • When standing or walking, keep the foot off the ground at all times
  • When sitting, elevate the foot
• Avoid letting your leg hang down for any extended period of time
  • When sitting, keep leg elevated on a chair
  • When possible, lie down and elevate the ankle higher than the heart
• Avoid getting the ankle wet
  • Until the sutures are removed, keep the wound area dry
  • Whether you shower or take a bath, cover the ankle area with a plastic garbage bag secured to prevent any water entering the area
  • If you take a bath, keep the leg out of the bathtub

If there is any change to these precautions, the surgeon and physical therapist will instruct you appropriately. The therapist will see you on the day of or the next day after your surgery to begin the rehabilitation program.

Pre-operatively, exercises may be started to strengthen the arms and the legs in preparation for the surgery. Since you will be non-weight bearing on the operative side, your arms and the non-operative leg must be strong enough to enable you to walk using a walker or crutches.

Last Updated: 10/16/2007