Total Ankle Replacement

Most people think knee or hip when they think joint replacement. However, if you’re suffering from chronic ankle pain, there is a joint replacement option for you: ankle arthroplasty surgery. An ankle arthroplasty involves making an incision on the side or top of the ankle and replacing the joint with an artificial one.

Determining if ankle replacement is the right medical procedure varies from patient to patient. As always, less invasive measures should be taken before ankle replacement is considered. Typically, joint replacement is an option considered for patients who haven’t had success remedying their joint pain with physical therapy and medication. Most people who require ankle arthroplasty have developed limited ankle mobility and flexibility as a result of arthritis. Arthritis itself is difficult to diagnose since it is an autoimmune disease and nobody is really sure what causes it. This makes recommending ankle arthroplasty particularly tricky.

Midwest Center for Joint Replacement now has a certified foot and ankle specialist in-house, Dr. Steven Herbst, who is extremely knowledgeable about the procedure.

The same risks associated with knee and hip replacement are still present for ankle replacement surgery. Any surgery has risks; the key is to determine whether the risks outweigh the benefits. For many patients, total ankle replacement surgery is the best option to increase mobility and flexibility. If you’re curious about ankle arthroplasty, call us for more information at 317-455-1064.