Mr Dawe discusses ankle replacement surgery
Ankle replacement is a treatment for established arthritis in the ankle joint.
This is a relatively new treatment, although older designs have been around for over twenty years.
The advantage of an ankle replacement is that it allows some movement in the joint after surgery. This is not possible with an ankle fusion surgery, which is the main surgical alternative.
Mr Dawe is a foot and ankle specialist who will talk you though all the different options available including bracing, injections and different types of surgery.
For information about how to decide which surgery might be best for you visit: www.anklearthritis.co.uk
Mr Dawe performs ankle replacement using the Stryker Prophecy system. This uses a CT scan of your ankle to determine the best way of siting the implant in your ankle. The plans are made by an expert engineer abroad then checked by Mr Dawe. Finally cutting blocks are printed on a 3D printer in the UK which are sterilised and are made to exactly fit your ankle.
For information about how the surgery is performed see the animation below:
This is a relatively new treatment, although older designs have been around for over twenty years.
The advantage of an ankle replacement is that it allows some movement in the joint after surgery. This is not possible with an ankle fusion surgery, which is the main surgical alternative.
Mr Dawe is a foot and ankle specialist who will talk you though all the different options available including bracing, injections and different types of surgery.
For information about how to decide which surgery might be best for you visit: www.anklearthritis.co.uk
Mr Dawe performs ankle replacement using the Stryker Prophecy system. This uses a CT scan of your ankle to determine the best way of siting the implant in your ankle. The plans are made by an expert engineer abroad then checked by Mr Dawe. Finally cutting blocks are printed on a 3D printer in the UK which are sterilised and are made to exactly fit your ankle.
For information about how the surgery is performed see the animation below:
Ankle replacement vs Ankle fusion
Ankle replacement involves removing the damaged joint surfaces and replacing them with metal and plastic components to mimic natural joint movement.
Pros:
Ankle fusion involves surgically joining the bones of the ankle joint, eliminating movement in the joint to reduce pain.
Pros:
Who Might Benefit from Each Procedure?
Ankle Replacement:
Choosing between ankle replacement and ankle fusion depends on your personal goals, activity level, and overall health. Both procedures are effective for relieving pain, but they differ in terms of mobility, durability, and recovery.
Pros:
- Preserves Motion: Maintains some joint flexibility.
- Pain Relief: Effective in reducing pain.
- Improved Quality of Life: Enhanced ability to perform daily activities.
- Shorter Recovery Time: Typically slightly faster functional recovery compared to fusion.
- Durability Issues: Implants may wear out or loosen over time.
- Revision Risk: May require additional surgeries if the implant fails.
- Surgical Complexity: Technically more challenging surgery.
Ankle fusion involves surgically joining the bones of the ankle joint, eliminating movement in the joint to reduce pain.
Pros:
- Pain Relief: Effective at eliminating arthritis pain.
- Durability: Permanent solution with low risk of implant failure.
- Suitable for Active Patients: May be better for those with higher physical demands or high body mass index.
- Proven Track Record: Long-term success in reducing pain.
- Loss of Ankle Motion: Eliminates ankle joint movement entirely.
- Altered Gait: May affect walking mechanics, leading to stress on other joints.
- Potential for Adjacent Joint Arthritis: Increased load on nearby joints over time.
- Longer Recovery: Non-weight bearing and boot immobilisation period is longer.
Who Might Benefit from Each Procedure?
Ankle Replacement:
- Patients seeking joint mobility preservation.
- Lower-impact activity lifestyle.
- Older adults with less physical demand.
- Younger, active patients with high physical demands.
- Severe joint deformity or instability.
- Heavy laborers needing durability.
- Infection
- Blood Clots
- Nerve or tendon Injury
- Ongoing pain / making things worse
- Nonunion (for Fusion) - where the bones do not unite
- Malunion (for Fusion) - where the bones unite in an uncomfortable position
- Implant Loosening or failure (for Replacement)
- Fracture (for Replacement)
- Worst case scenarios (for both procedures), amputation or death.
Choosing between ankle replacement and ankle fusion depends on your personal goals, activity level, and overall health. Both procedures are effective for relieving pain, but they differ in terms of mobility, durability, and recovery.
