Total Ankle Replacement for Relieving Severe Ankle Arthritis
The ankle joint connects the leg with the foot and provides free movement to the foot. The surfaces of the ankle bones are covered with articular cartilage. Damage to this causes arthritis, which results in pain and impaired movement of the ankle.
The causes of ankle arthritis include infection, bone fracture, connective tissue disorder, excessive stress, and certain disease conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Non-surgical treatment options for ankle arthritis include oral medications and joint injections. However, if non-surgical treatment options are unsuccessful, Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery may be necessary.
What is Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery?
Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery, also known as total ankle arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pain and immobility due to severe end-stage arthritis that has not responded to non-surgical treatments. The goal of ankle joint replacement surgery is to eliminate pain and increase the mobility of your ankle joint.
What Is the Procedure for Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery?
The orthopedic surgeon performs Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery according to the following procedure:
- The surgeon makes an incision over the front of the ankle, retracts the muscles, and moves the tendons and ligaments to expose the ankle joint.
- The surgeon removes the damaged regions of the tibia, fibula and talus bone using special instruments, and reshapes the remaining healthy bones to fit an artificial joint or prosthesis.
- The surgeon inserts a bone graft between the tibia and fibula to create a fusion of the two bones and prevent loosening of the prosthesis.
- The surgeon keeps prosthetics in position using special bone cement and instrumentation such as screws.
- The surgeon positions the tendons and other structures back to cover the new joint, closes the suture, and covers it with a sterile dressing.
What Happens After Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery?
Following Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery, the patient may stay in the hospital for up to three days. Usually, a drain tube is inserted into the joint during surgery to drain blood from the incision, which is removed within two days after the surgery. The patient will get instruction on pain management by using prescription pain medicines, ice packs, and elevating their ankle above heart level while resting.
The treated ankle will be immobilized using splints and a bulky dressing, and the patient will be advised to not to bear weight on the ankle for at least six weeks and use crutches for walking. Sutures are removed after 10-15 days.
The patient will be referred to physical therapy soon after surgery to regain range of motion of the new ankle.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery?
As with any major surgery, there are potential risks and complications with Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery, including infection, fracture of the tibia or fibula, dislocation of the ankle, damage to nerves or blood vessels, blood clots (DVT or deep venous thrombosis), loosening of artificial components, failure to relieve pain, instability, and stiffness.
Whatever the cause, don’t let ankle arthritis stop you from doing the things you love and living the life you want. Let us see if Total Ankle Joint Replacement Surgery may be a solution for you.