Treatment Options

Non-surgical options (used for less severe arthritis)

In many cases, the symptoms of ankle arthritis can be treated without surgery. Some options that can relieve pain and aid mobility include:

Pain medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen

Shoe inserts such as pads and arch supports

Ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), a plastic brace worn on the lower leg and foot

Steroid injections into the ankle

Surgical options (for less severe to moderately severe arthritis)

Debridement

A procedure that removes bone spurs and loose pieces of cartilage, if these are causing the ankle pain.

Surgical options (for severe arthritis)

Ankle Fusion

Ankle bones are fused together. Because the joint cannot move or bend, there is less pain, but there is often an irregular walking stride.

Total Ankle Replacement

An artificial implant allows the ankle to move and bend without pain. You regain a more normal walking stride. In fact, 4 out of 5 doctors surveyed agree that patients who undergo total ankle replacement have a better quality of life after the procedure!^*

^*based on a survey conducted by PearlDiver Technologies, Inc. in April, 2018

Is it time to consider Total Ankle Replacement?

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Total Ankle Replacement vs. Fusion

Before total ankle replacement, most patients would get an ankle fusion to help relieve end-stage ankle arthritis pain. While ankle fusion is still an effective option for relieving ankle arthritis pain, it prevents motion and many studies^1-5 have shown benefits of total ankle replacement over ankle fusion.

TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT

Replaces your damaged, painful joint with an implant that enables motion

Helps you maintain motion in your ankle, similar to the movement of a healthy ankle

Retaining movement in your ankle can help you continue to walk normally

Can bear weight on your ankle in as little as six-weeks after surgery⁶, allowing you to get back to your active lifestyle faster

Less stress on surrounding foot joints

Lower rates of hospital readmission, wound infection, and re-operation^7-8

Able to wear shoes such as boots or high heels

Higher patient satisfaction⁹

ANKLE FUSION

Fuses the bones in your ankle into one piece to significantly reduce motion and relieve ankle arthritis pain

Ankle joint can no longer move or rotate

Limited mobility can change how you walk, affecting things like walking on uneven surfaces such as the beach

Can take 12 or more weeks to bear weight after surgery ⁶

Added stress on surrounding joints increases risk of more arthritis

Significantly higher rates of hospital readmission, wound infection, and re-operation ^7-8

Unable to wear shoes such as boots or high heels

Lower patient satisfaction⁹

With Total Ankle Replacement you can maintain motion in the ankle, as the implant allows for movement similar to your natural ankle joint.

References:

Pedowitz DI, Kane JM, Smith GM, Saffel HL, Comer C, Raikin SM. Total ankle arthroplasty versus ankle arthrodesis: a comparative analysis of arc of movement and functional outcomes. Bone Joint J. May 2016;98-B(5):634-640.
Seo SG, Kim EJ, Lee DJ, Bae KJ, Lee KM, Lee DY. Comparison of Multisegmental Foot and Ankle Motion Between Total Ankle Replacement and Ankle Arthrodesis in Adults. Foot Ankle Int. Sep 2017;38(9):1035-1044.
Dekker TJ, Hamid KS, Federer AE, et al. The Value of Motion: Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Are Correlated With Range of Motion in Total Ankle Replacement. Foot Ankle Spec. Dec 1 2017:1938640017750258.
Odum SM, Van Doren BA, Anderson RB, Davis WH. In-Hospital Complications Following Ankle Arthrodesis Versus Ankle Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Sep 06 2017;99(17):1469-1475.
Younger AS, Wing KJ, Glazebrook M, et al. Patient expectation and satisfaction as measures of operative outcome in end-stage ankle arthritis: a prospective cohort study of total ankle replacement versus ankle fusion. Foot Ankle Int. Feb 2015;36(2):123-134.
https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/ankle-fusion-or-ankle-replacement
Stavrakis AI, SooHoo NF. Trends in complication rates following ankle arthrodesis and total ankle replacement. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016;98(17):1453-1458.
SooHoo NF, Zingmond DS, Ko CY. Comparison of reoperation rates following ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(10):2143-2149.
Younger AS, Wing KJ, Glazebrook M, et al., Patient expectation and satisfaction as measures of operative outcome in end-stage ankle arthritis: a prospective cohort study of total ankle replacement versus ankle fusion. Foot Ankle Int. Feb 2015;36(2):123-134.