Annual Strength & Structure Section
This advanced orthopedic surgery can help alleviate ankle pain caused by arthritis.
Understanding Ankle Arthritis
While ankle injuries are common and often heal fully, repeated sprains or a severe fracture can cause the cartilage in the ankle to begin to wear away, resulting in ankle arthritis. This can cause chronic pain that affects the ability to walk and perform everyday activities, negatively impacting quality of life. If nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy, ankle braces, and corticosteroid injections haven’t provided relief, surgery may be recommended.
Total Ankle Replacement
Total ankle replacement, also known as ankle arthroplasty, is an increasingly common procedure that restores mobility and relieves pain for patients with ankle arthritis. While the patient is under general anesthesia, the surgeon removes the damaged part of the ankle and replaces it with an artificial implant made of metal and plastic. Total ankle replacement can be performed in an outpatient setting, allowing some patients to return home the same day.
Benefits and Outlook
As innovations in prosthetic design and surgical methods continue to evolve, total ankle replacement has become an increasingly effective and reliable option. It offers patients an alternative to ankle fusion, which permanently fuses the ankle bones together, limiting its movement after surgery. With total ankle replacement, the ankle implant functions like a natural joint, providing a full range of motion.
Following surgery, physical therapy will help strengthen the ankle and improve its range of motion. Full recovery typically takes between six months and a year, after which patients can return to light recreational activity and enjoy long-lasting pain relief and a restored quality of life.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville™ – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
