A decision to have an ankle replacement is one that is made by your doctor in consultation with you and a surgeon

Severe injuries, especially those sustained in sports, sometimes require the patient to have ankle replacement surgery. In this type of surgery, the doctor takes out the damaged ankle and inserts an ankle replacement made from plastic and metal. Ankle replacement surgery is performed only when the ankle will no longer move and the patient cannot walk because of the extreme pain. Ankle replacement is the last resort when all other methods of treatment have failed.

Ankle replacement procedures are done in a hospital with the patient under anesthetic. The doctors will make a cut above the ankle and separate the leg bones. When the old damaged joint has been removed, they will then insert an ankle replacement and attach the tendons and secure the artificial ankle replacement to the leg bones.

Recovery from ankle replacement surgery means that you will have to remain in hospital anywhere from one to four days. The ankle may have to be kept in a cast to ensure that the ankle replacement does not move or other injuries develop. You will also need to have regular sessions of physical therapy so that you can learn to walk on the ankle replacement.

There are no specific health risks associated with ankle replacement surgery. The risks of ankle replacement surgery depend totally on the health of the patient and even in a healthy patient a blood clot can develop. However, the doctor will prescribe a blood thinner medication to prevent a blood clot and swelling of the area around the ankle replacement.

Within weeks you can be walking on your new ankle replacement and you may not even need a cane.

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