Ankle Archives - Dr Bothma

Previous Surgery

Dr Bothma — Mon, 01 May 2023 09:27:04 +0000

Well performed ankle surgery, whether for an injury or non-trauma indication, usually has satisfactory results over the medium and long-term.
Rarely, complications following ankle surgery may occur, even in optimally treated cases. Further treatment may be required.
Severe disruption of the ankle requiring surgery can be more complex. The outcomes are not always favourable and the ankle may require revision surgery (re-do or adjustment).
Dr Bothma will assess your residual ankle problem comprehensively. He will discuss further treatment options in detail with you and will recommend the most appropriate solution.

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Dr Bothma — Mon, 01 May 2023 09:22:09 +0000

Ankle pain – frequently associated with swelling – is a common problem seen in foot & ankle practice. A painful ankle can severely reduce mobility and quality of life.
Most often, it is the result of an injury (strain, sprain or fracture).
Non-injury causes include various kinds of arthritis, cartilage abnormalities, instability, deformity, metabolic conditions such as gout, tumours and soft tissue afflictions in the ankle region.
Dr Bothma will perform a clinical assessment and request special investigations such as x-rays, scans and blood tests – if required. He will discuss the diagnosed condition comprehensively with you and advise you on appropriate treatment options.

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Dr Bothma — Mon, 01 May 2023 09:21:35 +0000

The ankle is a very busy joint and is constantly subjected to repetitive impact, high stresses and strains.
Sport and outdoor activity ankle injuries are common. Ankle injuries also occur during activities-of-daily-living around the house, in public places such as the street and on the stairs at work.
Severe ankle injuries are usually due to fall from a height, road traffic accident or motorcycle related incidents.
Injuries vary from simple sprains, that are usually treated non-operatively with excellent result, to fractures, dislocations or soft tissue injuries that require surgical intervention with a longer recovery period.
Some ankle injuries have occult “hidden” features that may have serious consequences if not correctly diagnosed. A painful, swollen ankle with apparently normal x-rays does not necessarily imply a minor injury.
Dr Bothma will assess your ankle injury and advise you on appropriate treatment.

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Dr Bothma — Mon, 01 May 2023 09:20:44 +0000

Persisting ankle instability after a previous ankle ligament injury or fracture is usually an annoying, disabling and painful condition. Recurrent sprains of the ankle during normal daily activities usually indicate ankle instability.
Ankle instabilities are frequently accompanied by other soft tissue abnormalities about the ankle that are not readily evident unless specifically investigated.
Mal-alignment issues of the leg and foot may contribute significantly to ankle instability problems.
Failure to address persisting instability may lead to increasing and irreversible arthritic damage to the ankle.
Dr Bothma will assess the nature of the ankle instability as well as associated factors that may complicate or contribute to the instability. He will discuss the findings comprehensively with you and recommend appropriate treatment options.

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Dr Bothma — Mon, 01 May 2023 09:19:24 +0000

Large and critically important tendons for foot function, traverse the ankle region.
The Achilles tendon is the largest of the tendons and most frequently problematic. Other tendons include the peroneal group and the tibialis group.
Injury to the tendons of the ankle region or progressive inflammation of the tendons with increasing disability, require a specialist’s attention. Dr Bothma will assess your foot and ankle and advise you in this regard.
Ankle region tendon problems can be difficult to recover from (whether managed non-surgically or surgically) and treatment is specific with a high degree of compliance required.

Dr Bothma — Mon, 01 May 2023 09:18:31 +0000

Degenerative ankle arthritis due to previous injury or persisting instability is the most often seen form of arthritis in our foot and ankle practice.
Other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis associated with connective tissue disease and gout related arthritis are less common.
Ankle arthritis may successfully be treated non-operatively with medication, activity modification and support.
In persisting, severe or progressive cases, surgical intervention may be required. Surgery varies from arthroscopic (keyhole) procedures to stabilisation operations and in some cases even ankle replacement or ankle fusion procedures.
Dr Bothma will discuss the diagnosis and management option in detail with you.

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