Ankle Fusion Treatment in India

Sai Malhotra, a 58-year-old former construction...

Sai Malhotra, a 58-year-old former construction foreman, had endured severe ankle pain for over a decade. Years of heavy labor and a significant fall five years prior had led to advanced post-traumatic arthritis in his right ankle. Every step was a sharp, grinding agony, and he could no longer walk his dog or play with his grandchildren without a pronounced limp and needing to sit down frequently. Conservative treatments like steroid injections, physical therapy, and custom braces provided only fleeting relief. His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Sharma, recommended an ankle fusion (arthrodesis) as the definitive solution to eliminate the painful joint motion and provide a stable, pain-free platform for walking. Sai was apprehensive about losing ankle motion but desperate for relief. The surgery went smoothly. The initial recovery in a non-weight-bearing cast for 8 weeks was challenging, requiring help from his family. After transitioning to a walking boot and intensive physical therapy to strengthen his leg and adapt his gait, Sai experienced a profound change. The constant, debilitating pain was gone. While he can't run or navigate uneven terrain as easily, he now walks his dog for miles without pain, plays on the floor with his grandkids, and feels he has reclaimed his active life. Emotionally, he journeyed from frustration and despair over his limitations to immense gratitude and a renewed sense of independence.