Ankle Replacement
Ankle replacement surgery is increasingly used to treat ankle arthritis. Worn out bone and cartilage are replaced with metal and plastic, in a similar way to knee or hip replacements. It is the typical alternative to ankle fusion, and modern replacement designs now show equally good outcomes.
Why have the surgery?
Ankle arthritis is the commonest reason to replace the ankle joint. It is usually offered when all non-surgical options have been exhausted. It can preserve the existing motion of the joint whilst simultaneously improve pain, but will rarely increase motion.
How is surgery performed?
The operation is typically performed under a general anaesthetic. An incision is made on the front of the ankle and the worn out or disease joint is taken out, and replaced with metal and plastic components that simulate the native ankle joint.
What are the benefits?
The operation carries a high chance of resolving ankle pain in the appropriately selected patient. By improving pain, often function such as standing and walking will become easier.
What are the risks?
All operations have risks, but the commonest and most concerning for this surgery are: - Implant loosening meaning that the bonds between the bone and the implants break down which can be painful. - Wear of the plastic insert. As the ankle moves, the man made plastic insert will wear out whicj can lead to the metal implants rubbing against each other causing pain and bone loss. - Infection, which can either occur at the time of surgery or later from another site such as dental treatment. This list is not exhaustive and Mr Patel can talk you through them all in more detail during a consultation.
What recovery is involved?
All surgeons have different protocols after surgery. Mr Patel typically keeps a patient in a plaster cast for six weeks to allow the implants to stabilise with full weight-bearing allowed from two weeks. A pneumatic walking boot is then used for up to four weeks as a bridge to normal footwear.
Any other considerations?
Ankle replacement surgery has an approximate revision risk of 1%, meaning that one in a hundred patients will need their replacement removed per year. This equates to a 10 percent chance of this happening by 10 years of it being implanted.