TSAOG SERVICE

Ankle Replacement

When To Consider Ankle Replacement

Though less common than some other joint replacement procedures, total ankle replacement has the same goal: to increase mobility and alleviate joint pain due to arthritis.

It may be time for you to consider a total ankle replacement if:

You have intense ankle pain that keeps you awake at night or wakes you up.
You have ankle pain that limits your daily activities, like standing, walking, or climbing stairs.
You have noticed weakness and/or decreased range of motion in your ankle.
You have tried conservative treatment options for ankle pain with no success.

What is Ankle Replacement?

When the articular cartilage surrounding your ankle joint (where the tibia meets the talus) is damaged beyond repair, most often due to arthritis that has occurred as a result of the previous injury to the ankle joint, ankle replacement surgery seeks to remove the damaged portion of the ankle joint and replace it with an artificial component to increase range of motion and alleviate ankle pain.

Total Ankle Replacement

A total ankle replacement (or total ankle arthroplasty) involves 5 main steps:

Preparation of the Tibia – The damaged cartilage, as well as a small amount of the bone, is removed from the bottom of your shin bone (tibia) and the new surface is shaped to fit the designated implant.
Preparation of the Talus – The damaged cartilage, as well as a small amount of the bone, is removed from the top of your ankle bone (talus) and the new surface is shaped to fit the designated implant.
Positioning of Tibia Implant – A metal implant is positioned on the cut end of the tibia and cemented into place.
Positioning of Talus Implant – A metal implant is positioned on the cut end of the talus and cemented into place.
Spacing – A plastic spacer is inserted between the two metal implants to provide a smooth gliding surface, acting in place of cartilage for the artificial ankle.