Ankle Replacement:
Patients that suffer from chronic ankle pain that has not been alleviated by traditional, conservative and surgical treatment options may be a candidate for an ankle replacement.
Ankle replacements should not be used for initial treatment of ankle problems and are usually reserved for correction of significant ankle deformities and severely arthritic joints, both of which may have been caused by an acute or previous injury or by the deterioration of the joint over time.
An ankle replacement is similar to other total joint implants of the knee or hip in that the joint is replaced with an artificial device that mimics the function of the joint it is meant to replace. However, ankle replacement devices have far less of a history than hip or knee implants and are being modified and improved regularly.
Many different devices for ankle joint replacement exist. Get evaluated by your physician to determine if an ankle replacement is right for you. The best option is avoid an ankle replacement entirely, so don’t ignore your ankle pain. Be evaluated as soon as ankle pain develops or immediately following any injury.
Bruce Werber DPM, FACFAS
www.arizonafeet.com
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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