Total ankle replacement (arthroplasty). In total ankle replacement, your doctor removes the damaged cartilage and bone, and then positions new metal or plastic joint surfaces to restore the function of the joint.
Although total ankle replacement is not as common as total hip or total knee replacement, advances in implant design have made it a viable option for many people.
An x-ray of a total ankle replacement (arthroplasty).
Ankle replacement is most often recommended for patients who have:
- Advanced arthritis of the ankle
- Arthritis that has destroyed the ankle joint surfaces
- Ankle pain that interferes with daily activities
Ankle replacement relieves the pain of arthritis and offers patients more mobility and movement than fusion. In addition, being able to move the formerly arthritic joint means that less stress is transferred to the adjacent joints. This lessens the chance of developing adjacent joint arthritis.