If you have ankle arthritis, your doctor may recommend ankle fusion or replacement. Both procedures can help reduce pain, but ankle replacement offers greater improvement in function.
However, ankle replacement may not be suitable for everybody. Your doctor can discuss the types of surgery available, and they can also advise on which may be more suitable for you.
Ankle fusion, also known as arthrodesis, involves removing the surface of the ankle joint to allow the two bones of the ankle joint to join, or fuse, together. These bones are the tibia and the talus.
The surgeon will insert screws or plates to hold the tibia and the talus together.
Ankle replacement involves removing parts of bone and cartilage in the joint and replacing them with prosthetic implants.
A total ankle replacement generally includes:
- a titanium metal component attached to the tibia
- a cobalt-chrome part connected to the talus
- a plastic implant in between the tibia and the talus
Both ankle replacement and ankle fusion reduce pain, but an ankle replacement retains the joint’s flexibility.
While ankle fusion will take the pain away, the fused joints will no longer bend. Joint replacement allows for better motion while also removing pain.
Ankle replacement may be unsuitable in cases of:
- severe structural irregularities of the foot
- stiff ankles
- younger age
- infection
- neurovascular disease
- bone loss around the joint, or periarticular bone joint
Ankle fusion may be unsuitable in cases of:
- younger age
- a very active lifestyle
- severe structural irregularities of the foot
- severe ankle instability
- infection
- collapsed talus
Your doctor can provide more information about whether ankle replacement or ankle fusion is the best option for you.