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Ankle Replacement or Fusion Surgery
Posted on 04-29-2025 in Total Ankle Replacement by Dr. Erik Nilssen
Posted on 04-29-2025 in Total Ankle Replacement by Dr. Erik Nilssen
The ankle is the location where the fibula, tibia (lower leg) and talus (top of the foot) meet, which is why the medical term for the ankle is ‘the tibiotalar joint.’ As with all joints, as time passes, the ankle receives its share of wear and tear. If an individual has weak bones and/or tendons or worn down cartilage in the ankle, the risk of an injury increases. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we offer a variety of treatments to address ankle pain. The severity of an injury or condition determines whether non-surgical treatment or surgical intervention is recommended. In fact, some of our patients only require a pair of supportive shoes and/or an ankle brace to find relief.
WHEN SURGICAL INTERVENTION IS CONSIDERED
When an individual’s quality of life suffers due to pain and the inability to participate in activities that he or she enjoys, surgical intervention should be considered.
Ankle surgery can address:
SURGICAL OPTIONS
AN ANKLE FUSION
In years past, an ankle fusion was the only surgical option available for individuals suffering with severe ankle pain due to injuries, arthritis or other diseases. An ankle fusion involves cementing the patient’s shin bone to the patient’s foot bone. This creates a new, stable joint; however, once the fusion is complete, the ankle no longer bends. Although ankle fusion surgery is still used in certain cases, this procedure causes limited mobility. Also, ankle fusion patients tend to walk with a slight limp. Even so, an ankle fusion will relieve pain and does provide a long-term solution for individuals who have ankle arthritis.
ANKLE REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Individuals who are experiencing pain because of arthritis are typically perfect candidates for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). With TAA, patients will still have the ability to move their foot because this surgery does not require fusing the foot bone and tibia together. Instead, ankle replacement surgery involves removing the damaged pieces and replacing them with prosthesis parts. The newly constructed joint functions like the original joint, but without pain.
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