Total Ankle Replacement Ann Arbor | Foot & Ankle Centers

Q: Does a total ankle replacement last forever?

The problem with ankle replacement is that the parts may wear out, become loose, or break over time. You may need additional surgery depending on how old you are when you get your ankle replaced. An ankle fusion, however, can often last a lifetime.

Total Ankle Replacement in Ann Arbor | For Chronic Ankle Pain | Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers

Pain Relief is Steps Away

Ankle arthritis affects millions of people in the U.S. and is a common joint disorder that worsens over time. It is often caused by aging, injury, or your body's own immune system can make it hard to move the joint. Osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are all types of arthritis that can affect your ankle joint. In some cases, the cartilage has worn away, causing bone to rub against bone, which is painful and limits what you can do.

If you have been diagnosed with ankle arthritis and have long-term pain, you may be a candidate for a new way to treat it. Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) surgery is one way to treat arthritis in the ankle. Learn more if the TAR procedure is right for you. Schedule your Ann Arbor Total Ankle Replacement consultation today at Arbor-Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers. We serve communities within Washtenaw County, such as Dexter, Saline, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor total ankle replacement model with black shoes

Dr. Alaa Mansour, Ann Arbor foot and ankle surgeon

Specialized Care for Complex Ankles

Total and Revision Ankle Replacement with Dr. Alaa Mansour

Alaa Mansour, DPM, is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon with a practice emphasis in primary and revision total ankle replacement and complex ankle reconstruction. He is board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery.

Dr. Mansour evaluates patients with advanced ankle arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, ankle deformity, previous ankle surgery, and painful or failed ankle replacements. He looks at the source of the pain, the condition of the bone and soft tissues, and the alignment of the foot and ankle before recommending treatment. Depending on what he finds, treatment options may include ankle replacement, revision surgery, ankle fusion, reconstruction, or another suitable treatment.

What is a Total Ankle Replacement (TAR)?

A Total Ankle Replacement is an artificial joint that replaces both sides of the ankle joint to relieve arthritis pain and keep your ankle's range of motion intact. The ankle joint connects the leg to the foot. It is made up of two cartilage-covered surfaces that meet at the end of the tibia (or shin) bone and the talus (or ankle) bone.

With a Total Ankle Replacement, the cartilage on these two surfaces will be replaced with "bearing" surfaces made of metal and polyethylene that are firmly attached to the bone. The foot can move up and down because these two joint surfaces can move back and forth. When an ankle joint replacement is done, only the surface of the ankle joint is changed. Keep in mind, if you have arthritis pain in the joints of your foot, this surgery is not likely to alleviate that pain.

Ann Arbor total ankle replacement models smiling

What are the benefits of a Total Ankle Replacement?

Make a Comeback

The main benefit of a Total Ankle Replacement in Ann Arbor is the hope that keeping some movement in the ankle joint will give you more normal function and keep the other joints around the ankle from getting arthritic. An ankle replacement doesn't restore normal movement but may let the foot move just enough to protect the other joints.

Two Ways to Treat Advanced Arthritis

Ankle Replacement vs. Ankle Fusion

Total ankle replacement and ankle fusion can both relieve pain from advanced ankle arthritis. They handle movement differently. An ankle replacement removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with an implant that allows the ankle to keep some motion. Ankle fusion, also called ankle arthrodesis, joins the tibia and talus so the painful joint no longer moves.

Keeping motion in the ankle may help some patients walk with a more natural stride and place less compensatory stress on nearby joints. Fusion gives the ankle a stable foundation and may be a better option when poor bone quality, infection, severe instability, or deformity makes an implant less dependable.

Dr. Mansour considers your age, activity goals, bone quality, alignment, circulation, nerve function, and the condition of the surrounding joints when comparing the two procedures. Neither operation is right for every arthritic ankle. The better choice is the one that offers the most reliable pain relief and function for your specific situation.

Am I a good candidate for a Total Ankle Replacement?

Discuss Your Options

A healthy person with arthritis in the ankle with little or no deformity or misalignment of the ankle is the best candidate for a Total Ankle Replacement.

An ankle replacement works best for people who do not strain their feet and ankles with rigorous exercise and are within a healthy weight limit for their body. Ankle replacements can wear out over time and may need to be fixed or changed into an ankle fusion.

If you have diabetes, poor circulation, skin sores, or heart or lung disease, you may be more likely to get an infection, have a problem with your wound, or have another problem after you get a total ankle replacement. Also, a misaligned or crooked ankle can make it more likely that something will go wrong. When these things happen, a Total Ankle Replacement may not be the best approach to treat arthritis in your ankle.

Your Total Ankle Replacement Procedure

One Step at a Time

Many people who want TAR for painful arthritis in their ankle may also have arthritis or deformities in other joints in their foot.

The main goal of TAR is to relieve pain, so any other sources of pain need to be taken care of for the surgery to go well. Pain relief may require fusing other, less important joints in the back or middle of the foot.

Also, if the ankle or foot is misshapen, like having a tight Achilles tendon, an ankle that turns out, or a very flat foot, the new ankle replacement will be put under too much stress, which can cause it to fail early. In some cases, the TAR surgery can be done along with other procedures. But in many cases, these extra surgeries are extensive and need time to heal before your TAR is done. This means that for Total Ankle Replacement Ann Arbor patients should expect this to be done in two steps, weeks or months apart.

Recreating a Stable Foundation

Can Ankle Replacement Be Performed After a Previous Ankle Injury or Surgery?

Yes. Many people considering total ankle replacement developed arthritis after a fracture, major sprain, or another ankle injury. This is known as post-traumatic arthritis, and it may become painful years after the original injury. A history of ankle surgery also does not automatically rule out replacement.

Previous treatment can make planning more involved. Plates, screws, scar tissue, old incisions, bone loss, and changes in alignment may affect how the ankle is approached. Some hardware can remain in place, while other hardware may need to be removed before or during the replacement.

Weight-bearing X-rays and CT imaging help Dr. Mansour see how the bones healed and how much support is available for an implant. If the ankle needs more preparation, he may recommend correcting the problem before the replacement or addressing it during the same operation.

What If I Have Significant Ankle Deformity?

An ankle implant needs to sit in a balanced position. When the ankle tilts or the foot rests unevenly, too much force can fall on one side of the replacement. That uneven pressure can contribute to instability, wear, or loosening.

Significant deformity doesn’t always rule out ankle replacement. Some patients can have the alignment corrected through bone realignment, ligament repair, tendon balancing, or treatment of another joint. The correction may take place during the replacement or in a separate operation beforehand.

If the foot and ankle cannot be aligned well enough to protect the implant, fusion may offer a more reliable result. Patients with broader alignment problems may need complex ankle reconstruction along with or instead of ankle replacement.

Total Ankle Replacement Recovery

The Path to Recovery

After a successful ankle replacement surgery, you should be able to get dressed and take care of yourself within the first two weeks after your Total Ankle Replacement. You won't be able to stand or walk for about six to eight weeks or until your surgeon says it's okay—typically after you start your physical therapy. Your doctor will tell you about certain restrictions, such as how much walking you can do on your operated ankle. Your doctor will also tell you when you can start moving around more easily and when you can do other things again.

Ann Arbor total ankle replacement model putting on socks

Total Ankle Replacement Results

Long-lasting Results

Recent studies have shown that five years after surgery, as many as 90% of total ankle replacements are still in good shape. The ankle replacement seems to last longer in people whose ankles don't have as many problems in their ankle before surgery. Overall, you may need a second surgery about 10 to 15 years after the first one.

Schedule your Ann Arbor Total Ankle Replacement consultation with Arbor - Ypsi Total Ankle Replacement today

Find Relief in Ann Arbor

Stop suffering and find relief to your ankle arthritis with a Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) in Ann Arbor. Your ankle pain may stem from osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. In rare circumstances, damaged cartilage causes painful bone-on-bone rubbing, limiting movement. Consider the TAR surgery from Arbor-Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Call today.

Total Ankle
Replacement Frequently Asked Questions

Does a total ankle replacement last forever?

The problem with ankle replacement is that the parts may wear out, become loose, or break over time. You may need additional surgery depending on how old you are when you get your ankle replaced. An ankle fusion, however, can often last a lifetime.

Does my insurance cover total ankle replacement?

Your insurer should cover your medically necessary operation in full or in part. If you need assistance and lack insurance or have a high deductible, ask about our financing or payment options during your consultation.

Why can an ankle replacement become painful or fail?

An ankle replacement can become painful because of implant wear, loosening, bone loss, poor alignment, instability, infection, or fracture. Pain may also come from scar tissue, tendons, or nearby joints, so Dr. Mansour evaluates the entire foot and ankle before recommending treatment.

What is revision total ankle replacement?

Revision total ankle replacement is surgery to address a painful or failed ankle implant. Depending on the problem, Dr. Mansour may replace one or more components, rebuild lost bone, correct deformity, or use CT planning and INFINITY with ADAPTIS Technology when appropriate.

Can a failed ankle replacement be revised?

Some failed ankle replacements can be revised, but the ankle must have enough healthy bone and soft-tissue support for another implant. Dr. Mansour also considers alignment, infection risk, previous surgery, and the patient’s goals before recommending revision.

When is fusion preferable to revision ankle replacement?

Fusion may be more reliable when extensive bone loss, infection, severe instability, poor circulation, or an uncorrectable deformity prevents another implant from being supported safely. The failed replacement is removed, and the ankle bones are joined to create a stable foundation and relieve pain.

All in stride

Get relief today at Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers

At Arbor - Ypsi Foot & Ankle Centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, we identify your unique foot and ankle needs and develop a highly effective and individualized treatment plan to resolve them. Our experts will work relentlessly to make you feel better and put your best foot forward.

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Total Ankle Replacement in Ann Arbor, MI