Over 50 million adults in the U.S. are affected by arthritis, with many experiencing it in the ankle joint. Severe ankle arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility, impacting daily life. When conservative treatments no longer work, ankle replacement surgery can help restore pain-free movement and an active lifestyle.
At Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates, we provide expert orthopedic care in Pittsburgh. Our team specializes in advanced treatments, including total ankle replacement, to help relieve pain and improve mobility. Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Read on to learn more about when ankle replacement might be the right solution for you.
Ankle Arthritis Symptoms
Severe ankle arthritis, including foot arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, can significantly impact daily life. Common symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility in arthritic joints. Understanding these signs is crucial in deciding whether advanced surgical treatment, such as total ankle arthroplasty, might be necessary.
- Persistent ankle pain, stiffness, and swelling in the arthritic ankle joint.
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight, often due to bone spurs or joint stiffness.
- Reduced ankle motion and noticeable joint deformity caused by damage to bone and soft tissues.
Common Conservative Treatment Options
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises designed by a physical therapist to strengthen soft tissues, improve ankle motion, and support bone healing.
- Medications: Pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and control inflammation.
- Braces or Orthotics: Devices designed to stabilize the arthritic ankle and relieve symptoms by reducing stress on the joint surface.
Indicators That Conservative Treatments Are No Longer Effective
- Persistent or worsening ankle pain despite using treatments like NSAIDs, pain relievers, or physical therapy.
- Significant decrease in mobility that disrupts daily activities, indicating potential need for ankle surgery or joint replacement.
- Persistent swelling, joint stiffness, or signs of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Increasing deformity or instability in the same joint, often revealed by imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
How Ankle Replacement Surgery Restores Function
Total ankle joint replacement (also called total ankle arthroplasty) is a specialized surgical treatment to treat ankle arthritis, including cases caused by post-traumatic arthritis or autoimmune diseases. This procedure replaces the damaged joint surface with an ankle implant, alleviating pain and improving functionality.
Benefits of Total Ankle Replacement
- Pain Relief: Designed to provide pain relief from arthritic joints or ankle injury.
- Improved Mobility: Restores natural ankle motion, allowing smoother movement.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Reduced pain and better mobility enable patients to resume daily activities.
- Joint Conservation: Preserves surrounding bone and soft tissues more effectively than ankle fusion.
- Durability: Modern ankle implants are built to last, minimizing the need for additional surgical techniques.
The Procedure and Recovery Process
Overview of the Surgical Process
- Preparation: Orthopaedic surgeons conduct a physical examination and imaging tests to create an accurate diagnosis. Anesthesia is administered, and sterile procedures are followed to minimize blood clots or infections during the operation.
- Removal of Damaged Joint: The surgeon carefully removes the worn-out portions of the arthritic joints.
- Placement of Implant: A prosthetic ankle implant is positioned to mimic the natural joint and improve ankle motion.
- Closure: The incision is closed, and the area is protected to promote wound healing.
Recovery Timeline and Key Milestones
- First Few Days
- Short hospital stay for monitoring.
- Pain management using medications like NSAIDs and care to prevent complications such as blood clots.
- Weeks 2-6
- Start physical therapy guided by a physical therapist to promote bone healing and restore movement.
- Gradual transition to partial weight-bearing with support like crutches.
- Months 2-3
- Increased strength and mobility.
- Resume light activities while avoiding ankle injury or risks associated with a broken bone.
- Month 4 and Beyond
- Return to daily activities and low-impact exercises as advised by your doctor.
- Ongoing physical therapy to maximize ankle motion and ensure the long-term success of the ankle implant.
Recovery varies, but following the care plan and therapy schedule ensures better outcomes with less pain and improved mobility. If conservative options like braces or corticosteroid injections aren’t enough to treat ankle arthritis, your doctor may recommend ankle surgery, such as ankle arthroscopy or replacement, to restore function and relieve symptoms.
Move Forward to Improve Your Joint Health
A successful recovery after joint minimal invasive surgery requires commitment to your care plan and therapy schedule, ensuring long-term mobility and health. At Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Don't wait to prioritize your joint health. Schedule an appointment with Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates today and explore our specialized orthopedic care services designed to get you back to living life to the fullest.
