Coastal Orthopedics, a full-service provider of comprehensive orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, spine care, diagnostic imaging and physical therapy service, recently announced it has completed its first outpatient total ankle replacement surgery.
The outpatient procedure was performed for the first time at Coastal Orthopedics’ surgery center by Dr. Matthew Pacana, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle injuries and disorders at Coastal Orthopedics. After attending medical school at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Dr. Pacana finished his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He then went on to complete his foot and ankle fellowship at the University of Texas Houston.
The total ankle replacement procedure entails general anesthesia and a regional block to numb the lower leg and control pain for over the first 24 hours. During surgery, physicians approach the ankle joint through a small incision and remove the arthritic portions of the bone on both sides of the ankle joint. The metal components are then placed on both sides of the joint with a durable spacer that allows for ankle range of motion that is frequently better than prior to surgery…