If you’re considering ankle replacement surgery, you’ve likely already been through months or even years of pain, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications. With the latest technology available at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, a total ankle replacement can help you get back to walking, managing errands or playing with your children or grandchildren without pain.
Our orthopedic surgeons are national leaders in their field, specializing in the latest techniques and technology for ankle replacement surgery. Whether you have an injury or arthritis that causes chronic pain and loss of function, our expert joint replacement team can help get you comfortably back on your feet.
What is ankle replacement surgery?
Ankle replacement surgery, also known as ankle arthroplasty, is a method of treating ankle trauma through joint replacement. During the procedure, a surgeon removes damaged bone and cartilage from the ankle joint and replaces them with an implant that replicates natural movement.
An ankle replacement is typically only offered after other nonsurgical treatment methods, such as physical therapy, injections, and bracing have been tried and failed or are no longer producing the desired results. Around 10,000 people in the United States receive a total ankle replacement each year.
Benefits of an ankle replacement
Replacing the ankle helps you maintain your gait and balance, so you can comfortably walk up and down stairs and on uneven ground. It also helps prevent arthritis in the surrounding areas.
Ankle replacement vs. ankle fusion
Surgical treatment options for ankle arthritis include fusion or replacement, with total ankle replacement becoming the increasingly common choice. Research shows that both options can reduce your ankle pain and help you return to normal activities. Identifying your goals will help determine which procedure is right for you.
During an ankle fusion, the surgeon permanently locks the joint. While a healthy ankle can have anywhere from 40 to 70 degrees of motion, fusing the ankle reduces your range of motion to zero degrees. The ankle still functions relatively well with fusion, and the procedure relieves your pain.
During ankle replacement, artificial parts called implants replace the damaged joint, preserving motion, reducing pain and improving your ability to walk.
Types of ankle replacement surgery at Ohio State
Surgeons at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center use the latest technology to perform ankle replacement surgery. Before surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will plan every aspect of the procedure using a 3D computed tomography (CT) scan to create a template of your ankle. This information is used in two types of customized ankle replacement surgery:
- Computer navigation-assisted ankle replacement: This advanced system, available at very few places besides Ohio State, uses cameras and a computer to help guide the surgeon in real time, calibrating to the surgical plan within millimeters. The procedure results in a faster, more accurate procedure with less radiation exposure than other techniques.
- Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI): This procedure uses 3D-printed cutting guides tailored to your anatomy. This surgical planning and guidance approach helps your surgeon perform ankle replacement surgery with greater precision.
Because of the customization and accuracy these types of surgeries provide, you can expect better outcomes, including shorter rehabilitation periods and greater recovery of function.
Conditions treated with ankle replacement surgery
The main condition treated by an ankle replacement is pain caused by arthritis. There are several different types of arthritis that ankle replacement can treat, including:
- Osteoarthritis – pain caused by general overuse and wear and tear that develops over time
- Rheumatoid arthritis – pain caused by an inflammatory condition
- Post-traumatic arthritis – arthritis pain that occurs after injury or trauma to the ankle
Who is a candidate for ankle replacement?
You may be a candidate for total ankle replacement surgery if you:
- Limit your daily activities because of your pain and arthritis
- Experience persistent pain, stiffness or swelling despite other treatments
- Want to maintain ankle motion rather than fuse the joint
- Have adequate bone quality and joint alignment
Your surgeon will take time to evaluate your overall health, activity level and goals before recommending surgery. It’s important to remember that ankle replacement isn’t a first-line treatment for most injuries. We make sure you’ve tried many nonsurgical treatments before surgery becomes an option.
Who is not a good candidate for ankle replacement?
Not everyone with ankle arthritis is a good candidate for ankle replacement surgery, but even if that’s the case, your orthopedist can still help you relieve pain and gain movement. The following are some reasons your doctor may recommend other options:
- Poor bone quality or bone loss
- Severe nerve or muscle disorders affecting the ankle
- Poor circulation or wound-healing problems
- Active infection
Preparing for an ankle replacement
Total ankle replacement surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. You can expect to leave the hospital that same day.
Whether you go home, or to a rehabilitation facility such as Ohio State’s Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital, we’ll discuss your follow-up care before the procedure and at your post-surgery visit.
You may need some help to move around safely when you first leave the hospital after surgery. You’ll receive information on how to plan for help, prepare your home and buy adaptive equipment. Specific exercises may be recommended by your surgeon to strengthen your muscles before surgery.
Recovery after an ankle replacement
The exact healing timeline depends on a variety of factors, but the following applies to most people:
- Three weeks: Remain non-weight bearing to allow for soft tissue healing
- Three to six weeks: Begin walking with an ankle boot
- Six to eight weeks: Transition to regular shoes
- Two to six months: Walk comfortably and resume everyday activities, like driving and low-impact exercise
- Six to 12 months: Full recovery
What activities can I return to after ankle replacement?
The goal of ankle replacement surgery is to get you walking without pain. You can expect to be able to do activities like biking, hiking, playing pickleball, light jogging, and recreational tennis within a few months after surgery. You should avoid regular, high-impact sports such as serious running.
How long does an ankle replacement last?
Ankle replacement technology is constantly evolving, and our expert surgeons use the latest, most advanced techniques. Most ankle replacement devices last 15-20 years.
Risks of an ankle replacement
While adverse outcomes of ankle surgery are rare, as with any major joint surgery, the procedure carries risks. Some risks include:
- Discomfort, swelling or stiffness in the weeks following surgery
- Temporary numbness or tingling if nearby nerves are irritated during surgery
- Delayed wound healing, especially for people with diabetes, circulation issues or a history of smoking
- Small fractures
- Infection, though we follow strict protocols to prevent this from happening
- Implants loosening over time
Why choose Ohio State for advanced ankle replacement surgery?
As part of an academic medical center, our surgeons stay at the forefront of evolving techniques and implant technology. People travel from out of state to receive a second opinion from us, and in some cases, have their surgery done here because of our expertise in orthopedic reconstruction and our approach to joint replacement care. Here are other reasons why people come to Ohio State for ankle replacement surgery:
- Personalized care: You’ll receive a personal evaluation and an individualized care plan to guide you toward your health goals. Our surgical team works closely with rehabilitation physicians and therapists to ensure you have the fastest possible recovery.
- Nation’s best: Our orthopedic program consistently ranks among the best in the nation. We offer comprehensive medical expertise, the most advanced technologies and treatment techniques, and innovative care backed by research.
- Leading-edge technology: We use the latest surgical technology to plan your customized surgery and calibrate the procedure in real time to within millimeters.
If you need mobility help
If you need home medical equipment, such as a walker or a wheelchair, it’s easy to obtain these quickly through Ohio State Home Medical Equipment (OSHME), a joint venture between Ohio State Health Inc. and DASCO Home Medical Equipment.
OSHME has staff and supplies on hand for the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. To learn more about available equipment, place an order or talk to an equipment specialist, visit godasco.com.