When should I consider an ankle replacement?
For the right patient, ankle replacement is an ideal treatment. It offers more mobility than ankle fusion, which not only helps you walk around feeling unrestricted but also minimizes the risk of arthritis in the surrounding joints that the mobility changes caused by ankle fusion may impact.
In general, you should only choose ankle replacement when you’ve tried other treatments — including medication and physical therapy — and they haven’t been effective.
Tri-State Specialists generally recommends ankle replacement to patients who:
- Haven’t seen results with other treatments
- Are over the age of 60
- Don’t participate in any high-impact activities, like running or tennis
- Are not overweight
An ankle replacement is a surgical procedure with a months-long recovery process.
What happens during ankle replacement?
Tri-State Specialists performs ankle replacement under general anesthesia. That means you’ll be asleep, so you don’t have to worry about any discomfort.
During the procedure, your orthopaedic surgeon removes any damaged bone and cartilage in your ankle. Then, they replace the bottom part of your shin and the top part of your foot bone with an artificial joint. Once you heal, this artificial joint gives you pain-free mobility in your ankle.
What should I expect after ankle replacement?
Immediately after the procedure, your Tri-State Specialists surgeon monitors you. They also educate you about your at-home care for the surgery site.
They make sure you leave feeling like you know exactly what steps you need to take to manage any pain or swelling and to support your ankle’s healing.
Then, the Tri-State Specialists team continues to work with you through physical therapy after your ankle replacement. In this way, they help your body heal strongly and in proper alignment.
Their staff of coaches and therapists work with you in their on-site, state-of-the-art physical therapy gym.
Your physical therapy is designed to support your healing, helping you minimize pain and swelling. At the same time, it helps you regain strength, balance, and mobility as quickly as possible.
To learn more about ankle replacements and if one could be right for you, call Tri-State Specialists or book an appointment online.
