Ankle Joint Replacement

Surgery to replace the ankle joint with an artificial joint (called ankle arthroplasty) is becoming more common. Recent advances in the design of the artificial ankle and changes in the way the operation is performed have made ankle joint replacement a growing alternative to ankle fusion for the treatment of ankle arthritis.

The Purpose of Ankle Joint Replacement

Ankle joint replacement is mostly done for patients with ankle arthritis. The symptoms of arthritis are pain and reduced movement. The pain is typically aching in nature and can make walking difficult. Certain movements may cause a grinding or catching sensation as the arthritic bone surfaces move against one another. The arthritic ankle joint may swell. This swelling is worse after heavy use, but as the problem grows worse, the ankle may stay swollen all the time.

Bone spurs, or outgrowths, may form around the edges of the joint and can also be a source of pain and swelling. The purpose of an artificial ankle joint is to ease the symptoms of pain and provide a stable, mobile joint. An orthopedic surgeon can determine whether or not you are a candidate for ankle joint replacement.

Artificial Ankle Joint Components

Each artificial ankle joint is made of two parts:

• The tibial component is the part that replaces the socket portion of the ankle (the top section).
• The talus component replaces the top of the talus bone.

The tibial component is usually made up of two parts: a flat metal piece called a metal tray that is attached directly to the tibia bone, and a plastic cup that fits onto the metal piece, forming a socket for the artificial ankle joint. The talus component is made of metal and fits into the socket of the tibial component.