Total Ankle Replacement Specialist

What is total ankle replacement surgery?

Total ankle replacement surgery is a type of orthopedic surgery that involves your surgeon replacing a damaged or injured natural ankle joint with an artificial one.

Total ankle replacement surgery works to relieve pain and swelling. It particularly benefits people suffering from chronic degenerative ailments like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

If you regularly experience ankle pain and conservative measures don’t provide relief, request an appointment with the caring team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists today.

Are there any risks associated with total ankle replacement?

Total ankle replacement is safe and well-tolerated, but like any surgery, there are risks, including:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Damage to nearby nerves
• Misalignment of your bones
• Bleeding

If you’re in relatively good health, there’s not much to worry about. But if you smoke or have low bone density, you’re more likely to experience these or other complications.

During your initial consultation, make sure to talk to your podiatrist about all of your concerns, including the risks most relevant to you.

What happens during total ankle replacement?

The team at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists does total ankle replacement surgery using general anesthesia. You’re asleep during the whole procedure.

Once the anesthesia sets in, your surgeon makes an incision through the skin and muscle of your ankle. Your surgeon carefully removes the damaged portions of your shinbone and talus (the top bone of your foot).

Next, your surgeon attaches a new metal prosthetic to the pieces of your remaining bones. Your surgeon also inserts a piece of plastic between each metal piece to promote smooth, pain-free movement. After placing your prosthetics, your surgeon surgically closes your muscle and skin.

What is recovery like following a total ankle replacement?

Following your total ankle replacement surgery, you’re asked to stay in the hospital for a few days. During this time, your surgeon elevates and immobilizes your ankle to ease swelling and promote healing.

In the first few days following surgery, it’s perfectly normal to experience some pain and general discomfort. Make sure to take your medications as prescribed, wear your splint, and follow all of your surgeon’s recovery instructions carefully.

You should also make an effort to attend all of your follow up appointments. Doing so allows your surgeon to monitor your progress. A few weeks after surgery, your surgeon replaces your splint with a walking cast. After several weeks of wearing your cast, you’ll participate in several months of physical therapy.

Don’t let a chronic joint condition like arthritis prevent you from living an active, mobile life. If you regularly experience ankle pain, request a total ankle replacement consultation at Albuquerque Associated Podiatrists today by calling the office or clicking the online booking tool.