What To Expect After Total Ankle Replacement

What happens when you have ankle pain? Your ankles are very important because they help carry your body weight, and they help you walk, run, or even dance. Your podiatrists at The Foot & Ankle Clinic can help you with total ankle replacement. They have office locations in  Eau Claire, Chippewa, Menomonie, Stanley, Shell Lake, and Rice Lake, WI.

What Is Ankle Replacement?

Ankle replacement is the replacement of a damaged ankle joint with an artificial implant. The ankle joint (tibiotalar joint) is where your shinbone rests on top of the bones of your foot. Arthritis can affect this joint as well as other joints in the foot. Over time, the smooth cartilage on the surface of the bone wears away. This can result in pain, inflammation, and swelling of your joints. Ankle replacement surgery is a procedure to replace this damaged joint to eliminate pain and swelling.

Total Ankle Replacement

Total ankle replacement needs several steps, including:

• Making an incision in the front part of your ankle and lower leg
• Moving the muscles and soft tissue of the region to allow access to the ankle bones
• Removing the bottom portion of the tibia and top portion of the talus and resurfacing them with prosthetic metal pieces
• A plastic spacer is secured in between the bones to allow them to move smoothly without rubbing together
• Closing the incision in your skin using stitches or staples

What to Expect After Ankle Replacement?

Your medical team will continue to monitor you carefully as you recover after your surgery; you will probably need to wear a splint for a couple of weeks. You might also need to use crutches for several weeks. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions about how to move your foot safely while you recover.

If you have ankle pain and would like to consider a total ankle replacement, let the experts at The Foot & Ankle Clinic help. Just call (715) 235-4274 or (800) 359-4421 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit our website at www.footankle-clinic.com/