Ankle Replacement Surgery

Arthritis is a group of conditions that cause damage to one or more joints. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, where there is gradual wear and tear of a joint.

Some other types of arthritis are associated with inflammation of the joints that can eventually lead to severe joint damage.

Arthritis eventually wears away the normal cartilage covering the surface of the joint and the bone underneath becomes damaged. This causes pain and stiffness in your ankle, which can interfere with normal activities.

What are the benefits of surgery?

You should get less pain and be able to walk more easily.

What does the operation involve?

Various anaesthetic techniques are possible.

The operation usually takes an hour to 90 minutes.

Your surgeon will make a cut on the front of your ankle and remove the damaged joint surfaces. They will replace these with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

Your ankle replacement is fixed to the bone using special coatings on the metal that bond directly to the bone.

How can I prepare myself for the operation?

If you smoke, stopping smoking now may reduce your risk of developing complications and will improve your long-term health.

Try to maintain a healthy weight. You have a higher risk of developing complications if you are overweight.

Regular exercise should help to prepare you for the operation, help you to recover and improve your long-term health. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team.

Summary

Arthritis of your ankle is often the result of previous ankle injuries or rheumatoid arthritis. If you have severe pain, stiffness and disability, an ankle replacement should reduce your pain and still give you some movement in your ankle.

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