Candidates for Total Ankle Replacement

Your ankles help support your weight and keep you moving throughout your life. Unfortunately, your ankles are also fragile and at risk of sprains, strains, and fractures. Severe ankle damage or chronic diseases like arthritis may cause you to need ankle replacement surgery. Dr. Jacob Ransom at New Braunfels Podiatry Associates in New Braunfels, TX, provides comprehensive foot and ankle services, including total ankle replacement surgery.

What You Need To Know About Total Ankle Replacement 

You may be a candidate for total ankle replacement if you have:

• Experienced a severe ankle fracture from an injury or trauma
• Suffered a severe ankle infection from an injury or medical condition
• Developed bone deformation and degeneration from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Experienced poor healing or arthritis from a past ankle surgery

To be a candidate for a total ankle replacement, you should also be:

• In good overall health
• Trying to maintain a healthy weight
• Committed to rehabilitation and exercise

A total ankle replacement involves removing damaged bone and cartilage in your ankle joint and replacing it with a prosthetic ankle joint. Total ankle replacement surgery is performed to reduce pain and improve range of motion, stability, and ankle function.

A total ankle replacement is completed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. You may need to stay overnight in the hospital. After surgery, your ankle will be placed in a cast, splint, or walking boot to aid in mobility.

During your recovery, you will also visit the physical therapist who will help you keep mobile and flexible as you heal. A total ankle replacement means you will most likely be unable to place weight on the ankle for 4-6 weeks. It’s a good idea to prepare for this and seek out the help of friends and family while you recover.

Want To Know More About Total Ankle Replacement?

To learn more about a total ankle replacement and whether you are a candidate, call Dr. Ransom at New Braunfels Podiatry Associates in New Braunfels, TX. You can reach them in the office by calling (830) 625-1642, so call today.