Frisco & Dallas Ankle Replacement Surgery

Treatment for Ankle Arthritis in Dallas & Frisco

ankle replacement surgery

If you experience severe arthritis in the ankles, your doctor might recommend ankle replacement surgery. This will help with an ankle fracture, pain relief, peripheral neuropathy, and the overall health of the two bones. At SPORT, we have the highly skilled orthopedic surgeons in Dallas that you need. To schedule an appointment with us, please call 469-200-2832 or fill out our online intake form today.

What Is an Ankle Replacement?

During ankle replacement surgery, an orthopedic surgeon uses an artificial implant to replace the broken ankle joint. The ankle joint forms from the shinbone resting on top of the talus, or foot bone. 

This, as well as other joints in the foot, can be affected by arthritis. The smooth cartilage on the exterior of the bones deteriorates with time. Your joint may experience pain, inflammation, and edema as a result of this.

Ankle replacement surgery is a technique that involves replacing a damaged joint in order to relieve pain and discomfort. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. To reach the afflicted joint, your surgeon will create an incision in your ankle. 

The damaged pieces of your tibia and talus bones will next be removed by your surgeon. Artificial metal joints will be attached to the remaining bone surfaces, with a piece of plastic put between them, by your surgeon.

ankle replacement in dallas

Total Ankle Replacement

Ankle arthritis is treated by complete ankle replacement, commonly known as total ankle arthroplasty, a surgical treatment performed by foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons. Arthritis can develop as a consequence of regular wear and tear as people age, or as a result of an event such as a broken ankle or dislocation.

What Are Ankle Replacement Implants Made Of?

Titanium, cobalt chromium alloy, and polyethylene are used to make ankle replacement prosthesis. A unique all-titanium implant may be a possibility for people who are allergic to nickel.

Can Ankle Joint Replacement Help?

Ankle arthritis is generally treated with total ankle replacement surgery. Changes in the cartilage that covers the bones of a joint cause arthritis. The cartilage thins and gets rougher. Ankle arthritis develops throughout time as a result of normal wear and strain. It might also be caused by a history of ankle traumas, ankle fractures, or certain medical disorders. Symptoms of ankle arthritis include the following.

  • Reduced range of motion
  • Arthritis pain in the tibiotalar joint
  • Significant pain in the foot or leg
  • Difficulty walking

The majority of people get relief from ankle pain and other symptoms with simple therapies, which are frequently combined. These treatments are considered conservative by healthcare experts. Medication, physical therapy, or orthotics, which are specific shoe inserts or devices, such as braces, that reduce discomfort, are some of the options. Severe ankle arthritis, on the other hand, may necessitate a more specialized approach. When this happens, a doctor may recommend total ankle replacement.

Why Is an Ankle Replacement a Better Option Now Than in the Past?

Total ankle implants are now more anatomical than they were in the past. This implies that they recreate the natural architecture of the ankle while only removing a little amount of bone tissue. Instruments for performing the procedure have also advanced dramatically, allowing orthopedic surgeons to be more precise and reliable in their work. 

The medical community’s grasp of how to align the ligaments of the ankle and position the foot below the ankle after ankle replacement has also advanced significantly. Patients who get an ankle replacement have had improved results as a result of all of these considerations.

What Happens During Ankle Replacement Surgery?

Your healthcare professional can assist you in understanding the specifics of your procedure. Your ankle replacement will be performed by an orthopedic surgeon with the assistance of a team of skilled healthcare experts. It’s possible that the entire procedure will take several hours. You can anticipate the following in general.

  • Mostly likely general anesthesia, which allows you to sleep through the procedure
  • Healthcare professionals will monitor your vitals, such as heart rate and blood pressure
  • The surgeon cleans the affected area and then makes an incision in the ankle, possibly another on the foot
  • Removal of the damaged portions of the shinbone and talus
  • Attachment of new metal joint surfaces with a special cement
  • Insertion of a piece of plastic between the metal joint spaces
  • Other necessary repairs to the foot, leg, and neighboring joints
  • The surgeon will close the incision surgically

How Do I Prepare for Ankle Arthroplasty?

Once you schedule your surgical procedure, it’s important to begin to mentally prepare for ankle surgery. Schedule time with your orthopaedic surgeons and other healthcare provider to discuss your follow up. 

First, visit with your primary care physician. Getting a physical checkup to ensure you’re healthy enough for surgery is an excellent idea. If you have a long-term health issue, such as diabetes, this is very crucial.

Then, speak with your physical therapist. Before surgery, they’ll assess how well your ankle functions. As your joint recovers and you begin to move again, this will allow them to monitor your progress. They can also teach you how to use crutches or a walker, which you’ll require following the procedure.

You should also talk with the anesthesiologist. They are the surgeons who will ensure that you are pain-free during the procedure. You usually meet with them on the day of your procedure. They’ll describe the sort of anesthetic they’ll use and inquire about any previous negative responses. Below, we list other preparations to keep in mind.

  • Stop smoking if you do. It lengthens recovery time.
  • Discuss your medications with your doctor to determine if there’s anything you should stop taking
  • Watch for symptoms of illness or infection
  • Stay clean before surgery and follow bathing instructions
  • Prepare your home for recovery
  • Keep essentials handy on the bottom floor of your home
  • Move tripping hazards
  • Arrange for someone to help you during recovery

What Is Ankle Replacement Recovery Like?

Ankle replacement surgery, commonly called ankle arthroplasty, is a significant procedure used to relieve ankle discomfort. The bottom section of the shin bone and the top of the highest bone on the foot are removed by a surgeon. Plastic or metal parts are used to replace the ankle.

For about a month following surgery, your leg may be in a cast, boot, or splint. At first, you won’t be able to put any weight on the leg. While the cast or boot is in, you will need crutches. When you can start placing weight on the leg, your doctor will notify you.

You’ll be given a bandage and stitches or staples to take home. When your doctor says so, you can take off the bandage. Your doctor will remove the sutures in 10 to 14 days if they aren’t dissolvable.

How Long Is Recovery After Ankle Arthroplasty?

You will resume the rehabilitation regimen you began in the hospital for several weeks. The better your rehab activities go, the faster you’ll regain your strength and mobility. You may be able to return to work in a few weeks, depending on your position. Some folks require a longer time to heal. Certain leg motions should be avoided, as should putting too much weight on your ankle.

Ankle arthroplasty recovery might take anything from six to twelve months. When wearing a splint or cast, most individuals utilize crutches or a walker. The splint or cast immobilizes the ankle until it heals. Medications to prevent blood clots will be prescribed by your healthcare practitioner at this period.

What Is the Success Rate of Ankle Replacement?

Total ankle replacement with newer kinds of prostheses produces good to excellent intermediate and long-term outcomes, with average success rates of up to 90% after ten years. For full, end-stage ankle arthritis, total ankle replacement is a viable therapy option. It can help patients regain joint function and move around with little or no discomfort.

What’s the Difference Between Ankle Fusion and Ankle Replacement Surgery?

ankle fusion dallas

When end-stage arthritis is identified, the ankle cartilage has eroded away, and bone scrapes on bone, an ankle fusion or ankle replacement may be advised. Cleansing the worn-out ankle joint and merging the bones together with screws, plates, and bone grafts are all part of the ankle fusion procedure. Ankle fusion improves discomfort, but it also limits the range of motion in your ankle.

Because of your limited mobility, you may modify the way you walk, causing wear and tear and, eventually, severe arthritis in other portions of your ankle, knee, and foot. Ankle fusion takes longer to recover from than ankle replacement. Patients may be in a cast for up to 12 weeks. Physical therapy is not part of the rehabilitation process since the ankle joint is locked in place.

Ankle replacement is a relatively recent procedure. Ankle arthroplasty is a technique that involves replacing an arthritic ankle joint with a metal and plastic prosthesis. The recovery time is usually three to six weeks in a cast, followed by physical therapy, compared to ankle fusion. People acquire a substantially greater range of motion, and the majority of them resume active lifestyles. While the prosthetic ankle can wear out and need to be replaced, study reveals that 90% of them are still working well ten years later.

Should I Get an Ankle Replacement or Ankle Fusion?

For patients who desire to maintain their busy lives, total ankle replacement is frequently the treatment of choice. You may walk with a more natural stride and feel less discomfort and a larger range of motion since the artificial ankle joint is engineered to more accurately replicate the natural movement of the ankle. This protects the other components of your knee and ankle from wear and tear during ankle fusion. Ankle replacement surgery may be an option for certain individuals who have had an ankle fusion and want to regain mobility and function.

When total ankle replacement is not a possibility, an ankle fusion is advised. This might be due to obesity or another problem such as severe nerve damage, paralysis, a history of illness or diabetes, or avascular necrosis, which occurs when the blood supply to the joint is cut off, causing the ankle bone tissue to die.

Who Should Not Have Ankle Replacement Surgery?

Ankle surgery is not appropriate in the following situations.

  • You have a history of infections or a current infection.
  • The bone is not strong enough to support the new ankle.
  • The nerves in the ankle area are damaged.
  • Your ankle is very unstable. 
  • Noticeable loss of bone, or a decrease in bone mass (osteoporosis)
  • Charcot’s disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis or skin lesions
  • Ankle arthrodesis with malleolar exerisis

What Are the Risks and Benefits of Ankle Replacement?

Depending on your unique circumstances, each surgical treatment includes a combination of advantages and hazards. While there are no promises of success, pain alleviation, increased mobility, and a better quality of life are all possible outcomes. Any of the following could occur after ankle replacements.

  • Infections
  • Swelling or pain in the calf
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Redness
  • Corrosion of ankle replacements
  • Fever
  • Avascular necrosis
  • Anesthesia reactions
  • Allergic reaction or metal sensitivity
  • Blood clots, heart attack, or decreased blood pressure

When Should I Call a Doctor After a Total Ankle Replacement?

ankle arthroscopy in dallas

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.

  • Swelling of the foot or ankle
  • Fever
  • Pus or an abnormal amount of blood draining from the wound
  • Other signs of infection

How Long Does an Ankle Replacement Last?

The replacement lasts ten years in 90% of cases. They usually survive even longer, however the implant may malfunction in less than 10 years in certain situations. Over time, ankle replacements might relax. Pain and swelling might develop if the metal component moves inside the bone. If the implant loosens and causes discomfort, a second ankle replacement operation or removal of the replacement implants and fusion of the ankle can be done.

Contact SPORT Orthopedics and Physical Therapy Today

At SPORT Orthopedics and Physical Therapy, we offer a wide range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments for a wide variety of conditions. Not only do we perform total ankle replacements, we also offer ankle arthroscopy, fracture surgery, rotator cuff tear surgery, and joint replacement. To schedule an appointment with our Dallas physical therapists, please call 469-200-2832 or fill out our online intake form.