Ankylotomy refers to a surgical procedure that entails an incision or division of the joint surfaces or tissues, in order to correct or alleviate ankylosis. Ankylosis involves the abnormal fusion or stiffening of a joint, usually resulting from inflammation, injury, or a degenerative condition such as arthritis. Ankylotomy is performed with the objective of restoring the mobility and functionality of the affected joint.
During ankylotomy, the surgeon carefully makes an incision into the joint capsule or surrounding structures, aiming to separate the adhered tissues or remove any bony growths, adhesions, or scar tissue that are inhibiting proper joint movement. The procedure generally requires skillful precision and meticulous attention to avoid damage to nearby structures, nerves, or blood vessels.
Ankylotomy is typically performed under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, depending on the specific joint being operated on. After the procedure, physical therapy or rehabilitation may be recommended to help restore strength and flexibility to the joint and to aid in pain management. Follow-up care and monitoring is required to ensure proper healing and to assess the degree of improvement achieved through the ankylotomy.
It is important to note that ankylotomy is a specialized surgical technique, employed in select cases where conservative treatment options have failed to effectively resolve joint stiffness and immobility. The procedure is often considered as a last resort, undertaken when other interventions, such as physical therapy, medications, or joint mobilization, have not yielded satisfactory results.
