Total Ankle Replacement: A Game-Changing Solution for Severe Ankle Arthritis
Total ankle replacement offers relief from ankle arthritis pain while preserving mobility. This advanced procedure involves replacing the damaged ankle joint with an artificial implant, allowing for smooth, pain-free movement—an ideal solution for those with severe, debilitating ankle arthritis.
Ankle arthritis occurs when the protective cartilage between bones gradually wears down, causing bones to rub together. This bone-on-bone contact causes pain and makes it more difficult to move. Unlike arthritis in hips and knees, over 80% of ankle arthritis is post-traumatic or from previous injuries.1
Traditionally, surgeons treating patients with severe ankle arthritis turned to ankle fusion, a procedure where the ankle bones are fused together to relieve pain. The trade-off for this procedure includes some loss of ankle joint motion and a potential risk of developing arthritis in the surrounding joints over time.
Compared to ankle fusion, total ankle replacement can result in significantly shorter recovery times and may allow patients to bear weight on their ankle in as little as six weeks2 and walk more normally after their surgery.
According to Dr. Brett Albert, ankle fusion can severely limit mobility, preventing patients from enjoying activities they once loved. In contrast, total ankle replacement helps maintain natural ankle motion, offering a level of movement closer to that of a healthy joint.
Total ankle replacement surgery has become a viable option for many patients and is ideal for those with severe ankle arthritis caused by gradual wear and tear, previous injury, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Studies show the benefits of total ankle replacement over ankle fusion,3-7 including lower rates of hospital readmission, wound infection, and re-operation,8-9 and higher patient satisfaction.10
References:
1 Brown et al, JOT 2006. 3. CJRR 2006-7.
2 https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/ankle-fusion-or-ankle-replacement
3 Pedowitz DI, Kane JM, Smith GM, Saffel HL, Comer C, Raikin SM. Total ankle arthroplasty versus ankle arthrodesis: a comparative analysis of arc of movement and functional outcomes. Bone Joint J. May 2016;98-B(5):634-640.
4 Seo SG, Kim EJ, Lee DJ, Bae KJ, Lee KM, Lee DY. Comparison of Multisegmental Foot and Ankle Motion Between Total Ankle Replacement and Ankle Arthrodesis in Adults. Foot Ankle Int. Sep 2017;38(9):1035-1044.
5 Dekker TJ, Hamid KS, Federer AE, et al. The Value of Motion: Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Are Correlated With Range of Motion in Total Ankle Replacement. Foot Ankle Spec. Dec 1 2017:1938640017750258.
6 Odum SM, Van Doren BA, Anderson RB, Davis WH. In-Hospital Complications Following Ankle Arthrodesis Versus Ankle Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Sep 06 2017;99(17):1469-1475.
7 Younger AS, Wing KJ, Glazebrook M, et al. Patient expectation and satisfaction as measures of operative outcome in end-stage ankle arthritis: a prospective cohort study of total ankle replacement versus ankle fusion. Foot Ankle Int. Feb 2015;36(2):123-134.
8 Stavrakis AI, SooHoo NF. Trends in complication rates following ankle arthrodesis and total ankle replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016;98(17):1453-1458.
9 SooHoo NF, Zingmond DS, Ko CY. Comparison of reoperation rates following ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(10):2143-2149.
