Also known as ankle arthroplasty, total ankle replacement is a surgical procedure for patients diagnosed with arthritis of the ankle. Total ankle replacement surgery can relieve pain, maintain motion within the arthritic ankle joint, and significantly improve your quality of life. Apart from that, ankle replacement surgery acts as a perfect alternative to ankle fusion (arthrodesis).
Your orthopedic surgeon removes the ankle joint and replaces it with an artificial ankle during the total ankle replacement surgery. This artificial implant is usually made of plastic and metal. The main idea behind ankle replacement is to use artificial implants to reduce pain and preserve ankle motion. In simple terms, this medical procedure aims at relieving your pain and promoting better function of your ankle when performing various activities.
Generally, total ankle replacement surgery is highly recommended for patients older than 60. These are patients who do not participate in high-impact activities and are not obese or overweight.
Many causes are attributed to ankle replacement surgery. The common ones include severe arthritis in the ankle. The main forms of arthritis of the ankle are: –
This form of arthritis of the ankle refers to the “wear and tear” process in older adults
This type of ankle arthritis involves a system-wide auto-immune disease that affects the ankle joints
This is caused by your past injuries to the ankle joint.
In case of mild or moderate ankle arthritis, your doctor will recommend other treatment options such as wearing special shoes, taking pain medicines, using foot inserts, going for physical therapy, and taking corticosteroid injections. However, total ankle replacement surgery may come in handy if you have severe symptoms and signs that interfere with your normal lifestyle.
Several symptoms contribute to why your healthcare provider may suggest ankle arthroplasty. Some of these symptoms of total ankle replacement may include the following:
Suppose you suspect that your ankle is injured, has limited mobility, is experiencing chronic pain, or is affected by arthritis. In that case, your next step should be to seek medical advice from professional orthopedic doctors. Your doctor will perform a series of tests to establish the real cause of discomfort in your ankle before choosing the most appropriate treatment option. Some of the diagnostic tests may involve these imaging techniques:
After you have established a proper diagnosis, your doctor will suggest nonsurgical or surgical treatment options depending on the severity of your condition. The non-surgical option will come first, as encouraged by your doctors.
Surgical procedures come with their own risks and possible complications. The same case applies to ankle replacement surgery and ankle cartilage repair. Often, these risk factors are associated with infection, damage to the blood vessels, anaesthesia, blood clots, and bleeding.
Recovery from total ankle replacement may take between six and 12 months. During this ankle replacement recovery time, you will have to take the following post-operative care steps seriously:
Are you looking for the most reliable and professional total ankle replacement surgery? Dr. Christopher L. Dillingham specializes in both foot and ankle surgery. Dr. Dillingham is specifically trained in complex ankle arthroplasty (ankle replacement) using state-of-the-art equipment and exceptional surgical techniques to help you get back to your normal lifestyle.
A simple Google search of “ankle replacement surgeons near me” will certainly direct you to Dr. Christopher L. Dillingham, who specializes in performing the technically demanding ankle replacement procedure, arthritis surgery, and ankle replacement surgery. Schedule your appointment today with one of our doctors through:
Phone: 941.378.5100
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Fax:941.378.2805
Total ankle replacement surgery or arthroplasty ankle helps treat the arthritis of the ankle. This surgical technique helps reduce pain, improve overall mobility and increase joint stability. Your orthopedic surgeon will only recommend total ankle replacement when other treatments fail to relieve ankle arthritis symptoms. Visit Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics + Sports Medicine to learn more about total ankle replacement details, benefits, recovery, and when to visit the doctor.
The ankle arthroscopy success rate is impressive. For instance, total ankle replacement surgery with the latest types of prosthesis can yield excellent intermediate-term or long-term results in a short time, giving it a mean success rate of about 90%. However, in a period of 10 years, the ankle arthroscopy success rate can vary between 68% and 100%.
You can start walking after ankle replacement or turn to physical therapy as soon as possible. Physical therapy can come in following successful healing of the incisions around the ankle. That is usually about six to eight weeks after ankle surgery.
Ankle replacement recovery time can vary from one patient to another. However, your ankle replacement recovery time can take between six months and one year. During the ankle replacement recovery period, patients can use walking aids such as walkers and crutches while wearing a cast or splint. The cast or splint plays a significant role in keeping the ankle immobilized.
In about 90% of the cases, artificial ankle replacement can last ten years. In most cases, artificial ankles last longer than ten years, although some implants may fail earlier than that. This is because artificial ankle replacements can loosen after a certain period. For that reason, you need to take a lot of care when engaging in strenuous physical activities that can cause these implants to get out of position.
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