Total Ankle Replacement Surgery

What You Need To Know

Understanding ankle replacement, who qualifies, and how it compares to fusion.

Understanding Total Ankle Replacement

Total ankle replacement surgery, also known as ankle arthroplasty, involves replacing the damaged surfaces of the ankle joint with prosthetic components. The goal of this procedure is to relieve pain and improve ankle function. For select patients, it presents a viable option for restoring function and finding relief from debilitating pain.

Preservation of ankle joint motion is imperative for everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and recreation. The motion of the ankle implant also protects neighboring foot joints, mitigating the risk of arthritis due to the amplified stress that accompanies ankle fusion. Patients with ankle fusion are almost always confronted with arthritis in adjacent foot joints within a decade post-surgery.

Ankles are a prime spot for arthritis and are more likely to develop post-traumatic arthritis than osteoarthritis. For many patients, the trauma was an ankle fracture or a bad sprain that may have happened in their teens or twenties. Candidates for ankle replacement typically suffer from severe ankle arthritis or have had previous unsuccessful surgeries and are experiencing significant pain and impaired mobility.

Ideal candidates are individuals over 50 who maintain a healthy weight and do not have advanced diabetes, compromised bone quality, or circulatory issues. If ankle pain and limited mobility are affecting your daily life, reach out to Desert Foot and Ankle for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.

Recovery, Implants, and Outcomes

These procedures are performed in the hospital on an outpatient basis. Patients are typically non-weight-bearing for 4 to 6 weeks post-surgery in a cast or protective boot. After that period, most patients can bear some weight while wearing a boot, and patients typically return to regular shoes around 8 weeks. Full recovery typically takes 6 to 12 months, with most patients returning to normal activities by 3 to 6 months.

Since 2005, several implant designs have successfully navigated the FDA approval process, offering advantages over their predecessors including streamlined placement and improved instrumentation accuracy. Examples used in clinical practice include APEX 3D, Inbone, Infinity, Invision, Cadence, Salto Talaris, STAR, Vantage, and Zimmer Trabecular Metal implants.

Today, successful surgical outcomes offer a level of predictability and functionality surpassing that of ankle fusion. Unlike fusion, which curtails the ankle’s up-and-down motion, total ankle replacement preserves joint mobility and enhances overall function. Ankle replacements are not as durable as hip and knee replacements because the ankle is smaller and moves in multiple directions, but better implants continue to reach the market.

Following recovery and physical therapy, patients can resume many activities like walking, hiking, swimming, or biking. High-impact sports such as running, basketball, and tennis, along with heavy lifting, should be discussed with your surgeon and physical therapist as part of your personalized recovery plan.