Ankle Arthroplasty – A New Start for Stiff, Painful Ankles
If every step you take comes with pain, stiffness, or swelling in your ankle, you may be dealing with advanced arthritis or joint damage. When conservative treatments, like braces, medications, or injections, aren’t enough, it may be time to consider ankle arthroplasty, also known as total ankle replacement. This modern procedure can reduce pain, restore movement, and help you return to a more active, comfortable lifestyle.
What Is Ankle Arthroplasty?
Ankle arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged ankle joint with an artificial implant made of metal and plastic. The goal is to relieve pain and restore motion, just like hip or knee replacements.
Unlike ankle fusion (where the bones are joined together to eliminate movement), ankle replacement preserves joint mobility, which can lead to more natural walking and better overall function.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Total ankle replacement is usually recommended for:
- Severe ankle arthritis, often caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or old injuries
- Pain that limits walking, standing, or daily activities
- Failed previous ankle surgeries
- Desire to maintain ankle movement (instead of fusion)
It’s typically offered to people over 50 who are not extremely active in high-impact sports, though this depends on your individual health and lifestyle.
What Happens During Surgery?
Ankle replacement surgery takes about 2 to 3 hours and is done under general or spinal anesthesia. The surgeon removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with a metal and plastic implant that mimics the natural movement of your ankle. Most patients stay in the hospital overnight, though some may go home the same day.
Recovery and What to Expect
Recovery takes a few months but happens in stages:
- Weeks 0–2: You’ll be in a splint or cast and need to keep weight off the ankle.
- Weeks 3–6: You’ll switch to a walking boot and begin gentle motion exercises with your care team’s guidance.
- Weeks 6–12: Physical therapy ramps up, and you gradually put more weight on your ankle.
- 3–6 months: Most patients return to daily activities with improved comfort and function.
Expect to avoid running or jumping long-term, but walking, biking, hiking, and swimming are typically encouraged.
Are There Risks?
All surgeries come with some risk. With ankle arthroplasty, these may include infection, implant loosening, nerve damage, or blood clots. Choosing a skilled surgeon and closely following your rehab plan helps reduce these risks.