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Total ankle revolution: Reduce pain, preserve function

While research has shown conservative treatments, such as weight management, medication and physical therapy, can alleviate symptoms and slow disease progression, these treatment modalities have limited benefits in advanced cases of ankle arthritis. In these cases, ankle fusion has historically been considered the gold standard of treatment. However, with improved materials, instrumentation and surgical techniques in the past few decades, total ankle arthroplasty has begun to supplant fusion as the go-to surgical treatment option.

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 Total Ankle Replacement: My Personal Recovery: Phase I

Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) has been done since the 1970's, however, TAR outcomes became more positive since the 1990's and is no longer considered an experimental surgical procedure. Actually TAR is considered to be the optimal choice over ankle fusions - especially in a younger client (I am 50 years old) because motion is retained.

Articles of Interest

Is Ankle Replacement Right for Me? Assessing the Pros and Cons

Total ankle replacement, like other types of joint replacements, involves entirely removing the damaged joint surfaces—including remaining cartilage and the ends of bones themselves—and replacing them with a prosthetic joint made from durable metal and plastics. In most cases, we’re talking about replacing the ends of the tibia (shinbone) and talus (ankle bone) and putting in the prosthesis. The main benefit of a total ankle replacement, apart from the relief of your arthritic pain, is that it allows your ankle to move much more freely and naturally after a successful procedure.

Ankle Replacement Surgery: The Process and Recovery Time

Ankle replacement surgery is a transformative solution for those grappling with debilitating ankle issues. By understanding the surgical process, post-operative care, and the importance of rehabilitation, individuals can navigate their recovery journey with confidence. It’s essential to approach this procedure with realistic expectations and actively participate in the recovery process for the best outcomes.

Ankle replacement: A new gold standard for arthritis

While ankle fusion and TAR provide equal pain relief for patients, James K. DeOrio, MD, professor of orthopedic surgery and director of the foot and ankle fellowship at Duke University, said patients experience more comfort from a functional standpoint after TAR. He uses the Vantage ankle replacement (Exactech), which he helped design.

Do I need a total ankle replacement?

Total ankle replacement surgery, also known as a total ankle arthroplasty, is used to treat ankle arthritis. This is an alternative to an ankle fusion. The operation can relieve pain and maintain motion in the ankle joint. During a total ankle replacement the damaged parts of the ankle bones are replaced with a prosthesis (artificial component). There are several types of ankle replacements and the components come in different sizes.

How Successful are Ankle Replacements?

The way this question is answered depends on how you measure success. Different people will measure success differently. Success of ankle replacement surgery can be measured by patient reported outcome scores, where the patients themselves rate their condition and symptoms. The most basic outcome score is “Are you pleased with your surgery?” YES, NO, or NOT SURE. This is actually a very good measure as its what a friend may ask you, but its still fraught with difficulties because you may be very pleased with the outcome of your surgery but still riddled with pain, because another problem exists like a bad back, or hip arthritis that makes you still limp. Doctors and scientists have tried to find other ways to measure outcome.

Innovations In Total Ankle Replacements

The gold standard for surgical treatments of the ankle is a fusion. An ankle fusion is a procedure that locks the joint in a 90 degree angle, allowing the bone to grow together, or fuse. In the 1980s, the total ankle replacement was introduced as an alternative to the fusion; however, many ankle replacements of the ’80s were failing, leaving limited options for people suffering from ankle pain.

My Ankle Replacement

A journey to pain free living with Total Ankle Replacement surgery.

My total ankle replacement story

12 month post TAR report: wow! 12 months now, but I truly can’t say that time flies by, since I remember each week and month during my recovery. I am seeing progress, however slow it seems. Still experience stiffness when walking around and some pain, although the pain seems to move around in the ligments surrounding my TAR ankle. Almost like they get crossed somehow.

Total Ankle Replacement - DONE!

Age 61 and after years of dealing with ankle joint/cartilage degradation and pain I had a 'bionic' ankle performed yesterday. I injured it skiing in mid 90's at age 37. It was just a quick twisting motion when I hooked a tip in the bumps. I didn't even go down and there was no swelling, trauma or tendon damage at the time so I never even had to get it checked out.

Total Ankle Replacement: Phase 2: My Personal Recovery Story

My 2nd phase of Total Ankle Replacement was about icing, scar massage and stretching. During this phase, I was placed in a rigid remove able walking boot, however, with continued orders of non-weigtbearing. Because of this I got around my house in a wheelchair (luckily I'm in a one story ranch) and when I wanted to go outside I would use my fixed two wheel walker to get outside (because of the of a one step threshold - amazing how these little obstacle can be a big deal.

Resources

5 Tips For Speeding Up Your Recovery After Total Ankle Replacement

A total ankle replacement can be the perfect answer for patients dealing with moderate to severe ankle arthritis or significant issues caused by trauma to the ankle joint. As you might imagine, a total ankle replacement procedure is a big undertaking for your body that will require months of rehabilitation in order to get back to the strongest version of yourself.

Ankle Replacement Surgery Blog

This blog is not meant to convey scientific information. It is only my understanding of some of the things I learned as I researched the difference between ankle replacement surgery versus an ankle fusion and my decision for my ankle replacement. You have to apprise your condition, your desired level of activity post-surgery and especially you need to do the research and talk with your orthopedic surgeon to determine what is best for you.

Total Ankle Replacement

I decided to start this blog so I could help people with their decision to have total ankle replacement. Since I hadn't planned on recording any of this I do not have photos to post or exact timeframes for certain things before this year. The main purpose of this blog is to explain the factors leading up to my decision to have total ankle replacement surgery and to document my recovery afterward. I am hoping my experiences will help those of you out there considering having this surgery.