Is Arthroplasty The Right Option?
Posted on: 18 February 2022
Share
Many patients with severe ankle arthritis eventually end up having a procedure called arthroplasty performed. In this procedure, which is also known as a total ankle replacement, the ends of the bones that form the ankle are removed and replaced with a synthetic joint. Arthroplasty relieves pain and restores mobility for many arthritis patients, but it is not for every patient. Here are some factors to consider and to discuss with your doctor when exploring the option of arthroplasty.
Do you have any dead bone in your ankle?
You may assume that if you had dead bone in your ankle, an ankle replacement would be the premier choice. But in fact, the opposite is true. If you have dead bone in your ankle, the bone that remains after surgery may not be strong enough to hold the artificial joint. This may mean you're not a candidate for arthroplasty. It really depends on how much bone is dead and where the dead bone is located. Your doctor can make this determination with imaging techniques such as an x-ray or MRI.
Do you have any health conditions that slow healing?
Ankle replacement procedures have become less invasive and far safer in recent years. However, they are still invasive procedures, and your body still has to do a lot of healing in order to stabilize the joint. As such, some patients with health conditions that impact the rate at which the body heals — such as diabetes and certain autoimmune disorders — are not good candidates for a total ankle replacement. If you're free of these conditions, on the other hand, that points to arthroplasty being a good option for you.
Do you have time to dedicate to recovery?
After a total ankle replacement, you will need to wear a boot and mostly stay off your foot for a few weeks. You'll have to do physical therapy to strengthen the joint, and it will be several months before you regain full function. Most patients feel that it's ultimately worth the wait. However, if you don't have time to dedicate to recovery right now, you may want to delay your arthroplasty until you have more time to spend relaxing and recuperating.
Arthroplasty can be an excellent way to relieve the symptoms of ankle arthritis so you can walk without pain again. Just be sure to discuss recovery time, underlying health conditions, and bone health with your podiatrist beforehand.