Ankle Surgery Complications

Ankle surgery can be very beneficial to the person undergoing the injury. However, the person should be aware that there are complications that can go along with the surgery. These complications include nerve damage, infection, swelling, scarring and blood clots.

Nerve Damage

• Nerve damage may occur if a nerve is cut. The pain may feel like a burning sensation and cause discomfort to the patient. The damage may be caused by compression of the nerve to the ankle, which is done during surgery to prevent excess bleeding.

Infection

• Another possible complication of ankle surgery is an infection. Surgery should be completed with sterile materials and tools, and the skin should be clean. However, 1 to 3 percent of patients will develop an infection. Infections develop in the skin and tissues and can be treated with antibiotics.

Swelling

• Another complication is excessive swelling after ankle surgery. Swelling is common immediately following surgery but should not persist for long periods after that. Swelling is common in ankle surgery because the feet are farthest from the heart.

Scarring

• Scarring describes marks left on the skin after it is cut and stitched back together. Scarring may be inevitable in ankle surgery. However, a patient may try to decrease its visibility through the use of creams and by keeping the area infection-free.

Blood Clots

• When the flow of blood in the body is slowed or delayed, it may cause the blood to clot. The most common place for blood to clot is the ankles or legs, especially after a recent surgery.

Specific Foot Complications

• Specific foot surgery complications can include pain while walking, limited range of motion in the foot, numbness in the toes or around the ankle and possibly deformity if these problems are not treated or corrected.