Ankle Replacement Surgery
The ankle, or tibiotalar joint, is where the bottom of the tibia connects with the talus bone of the foot. When the cartilage is damaged and the bones grind together during movement, it can cause pain, swelling and difficulty walking. When other orthopedic joint treatments are ineffective at controlling ankle pain, replacing the joint may be an option. Our orthopedic specialists at DOCS Health offer ankle replacement surgery at our medical center in Los Angeles.
The main causes of ankle joint deterioration include injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and any other form of arthritis. The cartilage between the tibia and talus bones can wear thin, resulting in friction and damage to the bones. There are many joint treatments that can be used to control pain and extend the lifespan of the ankle joint. However, when these less invasive treatments are no longer effective, total replacement surgery may be necessary to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Is Ankle Joint Replacement Right for You?
With ankle replacement surgery, the ends of the tibia and talus bones are removed, and metal components will be attached to each bone with a plastic component between them. This artificial joint will replace the ends of bones and cartilage to create a functional new ankle joint. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia by one of our board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
After ankle replacement surgery, the following months will require rehabilitation and physical therapy to regain complete mobility. However, there is a high success rate with this procedure, and most patients achieve a higher level of mobility and a significant decrease in pain, improving their quality of life.
If you suffer from severe arthritis or deterioration of the ankle joint, replacement surgery may be an option for you. To learn more about ankle joint treatments, including ankle replacement surgery, contact us at DOCS Health in Los Angeles to schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic ankle specialists.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.