Ankle arthritis happens when your ankle joint wears down with age or through autoimmune disorders that attack the ankle. It causes pain because cartilage between the bones has worn away and the bones rub together.

Ankle arthritis can be treated with over-the-counter pain medicine, injections of anti-inflammatory medicines, and orthotics. If these don’t work, ankle replacement surgery is an option.

The surgery:

• Replaces a damaged ankle joint with a high-quality implant
• Reduces pain and restores ankle mobility because the implant moves like a healthy joint would
• Allows you to return to activities that your advanced arthritis may have prevented

What is ankle replacement surgery?

Ankle replacement surgery replaces the damaged parts of the lower leg bone and the highest bone in the foot with a metal and plastic implant.

OHSU foot and ankle surgeons can also fix ankle replacements that were done by other surgeons.

When is ankle replacement surgery recommended?

Your doctor will suggest nonsurgical treatments first, like foot and ankle braces and injections that reduce inflammation.

If these are not doing enough to reduce your pain and movement challenges, your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of ankle replacement surgery with you.

How ankle replacement surgery works

Your surgeon will make a small cut in the front of your ankle and remove the existing joint. Then, they’ll insert an implant. The implant includes a metal piece that connects to the bone of your leg that would connect to the joint.

Another metal piece connects to the bone of your ankle. In between these metal pieces is a plastic implant. Your surgeon will make sure the implant fits correctly, then close the wound with stitches or staples.

How long does ankle replacement surgery take?

The length of your surgery depends on the specific type of implant being used. It could be as fast as two hours, or as long as eight hours.

After surgery, you won’t be able to put your weight on your ankle for three to six weeks.

Within three to six months, most people are fully healed, with reduced pain and improved movement.

How to prepare for ankle replacement surgery

Before surgery: Your care team will give you detailed instructions to help you prepare for your surgery. You will also meet with the Pre-Operative Medicine Clinic  and with a physical therapist.

Driving home: You will need somebody to drive you home.

Medications: If you take blood thinners, you should stop them before surgery. You may also need to stop medicines that suppress your immune system. Your care team will review that with you.

Ankle replacement surgery recovery

Your care team will give you detailed instructions for your recovery.

Pain: Ankle replacement surgery can be painful. You may have swelling and pain after the pain medicine you got during surgery wears off. You will most likely get pain medicine when you go home.

Swelling: You might have a lot of swelling in the first two weeks after surgery. If you can, take time off work to rest at home and keep your foot elevated.

Follow-up appointments: You will have a follow-up appointment after two or three weeks to remove your stitches. You may have another one after six weeks for imaging tests. You may also see a physical therapist.