Ankle replacement surgery is used to treat the pain and immobility of severe end stage arthritis that has not responded to non-surgical treatments. The goal of ankle joint replacement surgery is to eliminate your pain and increase the mobility of your ankle joint.
Ankle joint replacement surgery may be recommended by your surgeon for the treatment of severe end stage arthritis that has not responded to conservative treatment options such as medication or injections.
Arthritis is a general term covering numerous conditions where the joint surfaces wear out.
The joint surface is covered by a smooth articular surface made of cartilage that allows pain free movement in the joint. This surface can wear out for a number of reasons. Often the definite cause is unknown. When the articular cartilage wears out, the bone ends rub on one another causing pain. There are numerous conditions that can cause arthritis and often the exact cause is never known.
Causes of arthritis include:
Other indications for ankle joint replacement surgery include:
Ankle joint replacement surgery is not appropriate in all cases of ankle arthritis. Ankle fusion may be a better option in some cases. Your surgeon will discuss the best options for you based on your particular situation.
Ankle conditions should be evaluated by a Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic surgeon for proper diagnosis and treatment. Accurate diagnosis comprises of a detailed medical history and physical examination. Imaging tests such as X-rays, Doppler Test, and MRI may also be conducted.
Ankle joint replacement surgery is performed under sterile conditions in the operating room under general or regional anaesthesia.
Your surgeon will perform the following steps:
After surgery your surgeon will give you guidelines to follow depending on the type of repair performed and the surgeon’s preference.
Common post-operative guidelines include:
As with any major surgery there are potential risks involved. The decision to proceed with the surgery is made because the advantages of surgery outweigh the potential disadvantages.
The majority of patients suffer no complications following Ankle Joint Replacement, however, some of complications associated with ankle joint replacement include infection, fracture of the tibia or fibula bone, dislocation of the ankle, damage to nerves or blood vessels, blood clots (Deep Venous Thrombosis), loosening of artificial components, wound irritation, wear, failure to relieve pain, scar tissue build-up requiring revision surgery, instability, stiffness, or weakness of the new ankle joint, and unsightly or thickened scar.
Discuss your concerns thoroughly with your surgeon prior to surgery.