Ankle Fusion Surgery Abroad: Lithuania
We are one of the leading orthopaedic surgery clinics for medical tourists in the European Union. We are proud of the fact that over 90 % of our patients come from the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada and other countries.
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Our patients and clinic in the media
Prices
Price in GBP
Price in EUR
- ankle fusion surgery – 3.330 £
- ankle fusion implants – from 84 £
- subtalar fusion – from 3.250 £
- ankle replacement surgery – from 5.965 £
- all necessary tests ( X-ray, CT and MRI performed in 1 day) – 380 £
- accommodation with medical care – from 62 £ per night
- consultation with the surgeon
- necessary health tests
- surgery
- implants
- anaesthesia
- hospitalisation
- 24/7 personal assistance during your stay
- transfers to / from the airport, hotel and clinic
- all documents translated to English
The price includes Hintegra and other highest quality implants. The implant option will be discussed in greater detail once the surgeon reviews your medical documentation.
Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.
Ankle fusion case analysis
Our patients in the media
Nordorthopaedics Center Of Excellence
Experienced ankle and foot surgeon V. Kimtys
- More than 20 years of working experience
- 500 ankle prosthetics performed
- 1.000 ankle fusion surgeries
- Read more
Refund for EU patients
Get your surgery for free by claiming a refund from your local health board. The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.
Rehabilitation packages
One of the most important factors for a quick and full recovery after surgery is proper rehabilitation. Rehabilitation helps recover after surgery as well as prevents formation of blood clots and helps avoid most of the postoperative complications and side effects. We offer two different rehabilitation packages:
Outpatient rehabilitation in Kaunas with a physiotherapist. The rehabilitation clinic is equipped with modern facilities. Individual rehabilitation programs are prepared by a kinesiologist with over 20 years of experience, Prof. Laimonas Siupsinskas. This type of rehabilitation is best suited for people who are physically active, athletes and those wishing to return to sports as soon as possible.
Rehabilitation in Kaunas – € 100 / £ 86 for one 1 h physiotherapy session per day.
- personalized rehabilitation course;
- specialist who is also a physiotherapist for Lithuanian Men’s National Basketball Team;
- all required medication;
- transportation to/from the rehabilitation clinic;
- read more about outpatient rehabilitation in Kaunas.
Inpatient rehabilitation at SPA resort in Druskininkai. It is equipped with modern facilities. The professionals there have years of experience working with people after various surgeries and injuries.
Rehabilitation at SPA resort in Druskininkai – from € 190 / £ 160 per day
- personalized rehabilitation course;
- room with TV and private bathroom;
- three meals a day;
- all medication needed;
- transportation to/from the rehabilitation centre;
- read more about inpatient rehabilitation in Druskininkai.
Our clinic
Self-catered accommodation with medical care
11 reasons that make us the most popular orthopaedic clinic abroad
One of the most important factors for a quick and full recovery after surgery is proper rehabilitation. Usually, clinics are not able to offer this due to costs savings. Our patients can choose between two inpatient and outpatient options: rehabilitation with a physiotherapist of the Lithuanian national basketball team, prof. L. Siupsinskas or rehabilitation at a medical SPA.
Our team of 5 orthopaedic surgeons has 10-20 years of experience in the field in total performing over 1.000 different orthopaedic surgeries per year. Moreover, our surgeons are members of various prestigious surgical societies both Lithuanian and international. Our leading joint replacement surgeon S. Tarasevicius is an author of 150 scientific publications in different medical journals, who has performed more than 3.500 joint replacement surgeries during 15+ years of his professional experience.
We are one of the leading orthopaedic surgery clinics for medical tourists in the European Union. We are proud of the fact that over 90 % of our patients come from the UK, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Canada and other countries.
One of the world’s leading medical technology companies and orthopaedic implant manufacturers, Smith & Nephew, have chosen Nordorthopaedics as Center of Excellence in the Baltic States.
We are trusted by our patients and we appreciate all the reviews and feedback collected over the years. Find more than 150 testimonials here or on Google.
Already more than 1.500 of our former, current and future patients joined our online community with the aim to build a space for opinions and mutual support. Members are welcome to share experiences about their visit to the clinic and to discuss all surgery-related matters. No other orthopaedic clinic can offer such group support.
Being a true member of the International Society of Arthroplasty Registries, Lithuania is one of the leaders in low joint replacement revision rates, as only 9% of surgeries in Lithuania require revision in 10 years after surgery. Moreover, with the implants used at our clinic, only 2-3% of surgeries require revision in 10 years after surgery, while revision rates in some other Western countries, for example, USA, is as high as 17% in 10 years after surgery. The implants used at our clinic have been evaluated by other countries’ registries as those ensuring longest implant life, as compared to products of other manufacturers. Moreover, thanks to our active participation in collecting data for the registries, the surgical technique used at our clinic ensures best surgical outcomes.
Our clinic is seen on different media mentions like: BBC News, BBC Radio, The Telegraph, MailOnline, Winnipeg Free Press, CTV News, CBC, RTE Radio, itv.
Our clinic works according to the highest standards set by the European Union. This helps to guarantee the quality of medical services. We care about the safety, comfort and successful results of our patients from all over the world.
The clinic helps patients with the documents needed to claim a refund after following the EU directive route for medical treatment abroad. It applies to patients who are insured under the systems of one of the EU countries and may not get the surgery due to long waiting times.
We provide customer service in 9 foreign languages including English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, Polish. Everyone in our clinic speaks English, including nurses, assistants and the surgeon.
Athletes treated at Nordorthopaedics
Our clinic uses implants based on their performance in international registries.
Being a true member of the International Society of Arthroplasty Registries, Lithuania is one of the leaders in low joint replacement revision rates, as only 9% of surgeries in Lithuania require revision in 10 years after surgery. Moreover, with the implants used at our clinic, only 2-3% of surgeries require revision in 10 years after surgery, while revision rates in some other Western countries, for example, USA, is as high as 17% in 10 years after surgery. The implants used at our clinic have been evaluated by other countries’ registries as those ensuring longest implant life, as compared to products of other manufacturers. Read more here.
13 patients' case studies
What is ankle fusion?
Ankle fusion, also known as arthrodesis, is a permanent solution to end-stage arthritis. The surgery is an option when the arthritic joint is so stiff and painful that one can hardly walk. As the name “ankle fusion” suggests, the bones of the lower leg are fused with the bones of the foot. Although it may seem like a drastic choice to make, ankle fusion completely alleviates arthritic pain and allows patients to maintain a normal lifestyle. The surgery can be done arthroscopically through tiny incisions. Various studies have shown that arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis has many benefits, like quicker surgery time, insignificant blood loss, a lower rate of infection, and less soft tissue complications.
When is ankle fusion needed?
Ankle fusion is considered to be the last treatment option for patients who suffer from persistent ankle pain and reduced ability to move. When the ankle joint is severely damaged and the pain remains unrelenting even after getting conservative treatment, it is time to discuss the option of ankle fusion with an orthopedic surgeon. Factors that could cause damage to the ankle joint include osteoarthritis, bone fracture or avascular necrosis, post-traumatic arthritis, deformities, severe infection, and obesity. The best ankle fusion candidates are older patients with generally good health. On the other hand, ankle fusion may not be the best option for some individuals. Highly active patients may have a greater benefit from ankle replacement, and so it needs to be discussed with a surgeon.
Ankle fusion advantages and possible risks
- The main advantage of joint fusion is permanent pain relief. The damaged articular cartilages no longer grind into each other, and so the patient can bear weight with no discomfort.
- The majority of the patients think that after ankle fusion they will never walk again without limping. Actually, it is quite the opposite. The fused joint is stable and provides good support for the body. After surgery, the gait is significantly improved and a patient can walk with no limping.
- Furthermore, ankle fusion protects other joints from getting arthritis because the patient can evenly distribute body weight.
- A lot of patients worry that they will lose the movement in the joint; however, many are surprised how well other joints compensate and take over the fused joint.
- As with all surgical procedures, ankle fusion comes with certain risks, including infection, bleeding, thrombosis, nerve injury, and non-union (failure of the bones to fully fuse).
How to prepare for ankle fusion?
First of all, a prospective patient should schedule the first appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon. During an initial consultation, the doctor evaluates the patient’s general health and joint condition. The patient should be prepared to discuss all the medication and natural health products that are being taken at the time.
Patients due for surgery have to cease smoking and consuming alcohol at least a month before and after ankle fusion. Nicotine from cigarette smoke increases the risk of blood clotting and alcohol is known to slow down recovery.
It is highly important to get the doctor’s opinion on taking blood-thinning drugs, like aspirin, and others.
Before leaving for surgery, a lot of people choose to rearrange their homes. It is a good idea to stock up on easy-to-cook meals and ask for someone’s help on the first few days post-op.
Before surgery, several medical tests should be performed. A patient may need to get a standing x-ray of the foot and ankle, CT (Computer tomography), or MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) scan. Other diagnostic tests include a blood test and an ECG (electrocardiogram).
On the day of surgery, a patient should arrive wearing comfortable clothes that are easy to take off and later put over the ankle cast. The patient should not eat or drink anything 8 hours before the surgery. Jewelry, piercings, and contact lenses should all be left at home.
FAQ about ankle fusion with our surgeon
How is ankle fusion performed?
Ankle fusion is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is asleep and does not experience discomfort.
A surgeon uses an arthroscopic approach, meaning that the surgery is performed through a few key-hole sized incisions which leave little scarring. After accessing the ankle joint, a surgeon prepares articular surfaces for the fusion by shaving away the bone spurs and clearing down the damaged cartilage. Then the surgeon secures the foot in a 90-degree position by inserting 2-4 screws that connect the bones of the foot with the bones of the lower leg. Over a matter of months, the connected bones heal and fuse, creating a stable ankle joint.
At the end of the surgery, the surgeon closes the cuts with non-absorbable sutures and puts the ankle in a cast.
Recovery after ankle fusion
Right after ankle fusion, the operated ankle is put in a compression dressing and orthosis. It is normal to experience moderate pain and discomfort. The medical staff closely monitors health status and adjusts the pain medications to keep the patient comfortable. Before leaving the clinic, the patient is prescribed pain medications and advised on self-care during recovery.
For the first two weeks, the operated ankle should be kept elevated, since doing so controls swelling and speeds up recovery. The patient must refrain from putting weight on the ankle; however, it is advisable to walk around the house with crutches. Carefully moving around for short periods of time keeps muscles and bones strong. The movement also reduces the risk of thrombosis. At the end of the second week, a healthcare provider has to inspect the wound and change the cast to a full plaster.
For the next month, a patient remains in non-weight-bearing crutches. The post-op pain is much more tolerable at this time, but the operated leg should still be kept elevated to control swelling. At the 6 week mark, the patient has to take an x-ray to confirm good bone fusion. If the bones are healing well, the cast can be changed to a walking boot.
After 3 months, an x-ray is repeated one more time. By this time, the patients can wear their normal footwear and perform most daily activities. A return to sports and high impact activities can be expected from 6 months post-op.
Ankle replacement and ankle fusion: which method is better?
Ankle replacement and ankle fusion have different indications and goals. An orthopaedic surgeon evaluates each case and suggests the most suitable treatment option for the particular case.
During ankle replacement, a damaged joint is replaced with an artificial one. An orthopedic prosthesis is designed to closely mimic the functions of a real joint. A patient has a natural gait and a good range of motion. Thus, this surgery may be more suitable for highly active individuals. On the other hand, ankle replacement is not permanent, because the artificial joint wears out over time and needs to be replaced.
On a good note, ankle fusion relieves arthritic pain, it lasts a lifetime, and the patient can live an active life.
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