Ankle replacement surgery
Total ankle arthroplasty or total ankle replacement
A total ankle replacement involves replacing bones or joints damaged by disease or injury with artificial ones
About ankle replacement surgery
Your consultant may recommend ankle replacement surgery if you have advanced arthritis or if your painful symptoms have not responded to other treatments.
Need to know
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What happens during ankle replacement surgery? icon plus
An ankle replacement can be carried out under a general anaesthetic (where you will be asleep) or a regional anaesthetic such as an epidural. Our world-leading surgeons use the latest cutting-edge techniques.
Total ankle replacement is an operation to replace a worn-out ankle joint by resurfacing the ends of your tibia and talus with metal components with a plastic insert in between them to allow a gliding motion. The metal components are fixed into bones using pegs with a special coating. This encourages the patient’s bone to grow into them.
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Preparing for an ankle replacement icon plus
Like all procedures, there can be risks and side effects, but your consultant will explain these to you in your consultation and answer any questions you may have. If you're having a general anaesthestic, your consultant will tell you how long you should avoid eating or drinking beforehand. You will need to arrange for someone to help you get home from the hospital after your procedure. -
After ankle replacement surgery icon plus
Total ankle replacement provides excellent-pain relief and good function but, like all joint replacements, is prone to wear and failure with time.
In most cases the range of motion after a replacement is better than before, but in some patients this is not the case, largely due to stiffness and scarring of the soft tissues. It is important you discuss the likely range of movement you should expect with your surgeon before having surgery. This will help you to have realistic expectations.
If you have previously undertaken long walks/hiking, cycling and other sports such as golf, tennis or skiing - you should be able to return to these. Please bear in mind it may take up to 12 months before it is comfortable to do so.If you walked with a limp prior to surgery, because of pain, afterwards walking is likely to improve. If you have other problems in the foot causing a limp, this may persist.
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Risks of ankle replacement surgery icon plus
The main risks of ankle replacements are due to the use of a new technology with uncertain long-term results. If further surgery is required a revision can either be to another ankle replacement or conversion to an ankle arthrodesis (fusion).
Other general complications following any ankle surgery include swelling, blood clots, infection, and nerve injury. You will be provided with patient information guides, including potential risks, prior to any surgery.
Patients with a history of infection, diabetes, severe deformity and poor bone quality may be considered unsuitable for ankle replacement surgery. It is important you are assessed by a specialist to determine the most suitable treatment.
Ankle replacement surgery at LAAC
The LAAC is at the forefront of research into the outcomes and effectiveness of ankle replacement technology. We have pioneered the introduction of the patient-specific PROPHECY™ instrumentation technique, which enables joint replacements to be personalised to the patient’s anatomy and thus perfectly tailored to the needs of each individual patient..
Alternative ankle replacement treatments
Why get a second opinion?
There are a number of reason you could be considering a second opinion including:
- You are not confident that the correct diagnosis has been made
- There are still have unanswered questions after speaking to your doctor and you don't fully understand the information you've been given
- You're unsure and unhappy with the treatment recommended to you and have been told you can't have a particular type of treatment
- You've been told that there is nothing more that more can be done
- Your condition has returned after treatment
- You're interested in clinical trials related to your condition
We offer a specialist second opinion service, both face-to-face and remotely for patients from all over the world, covering everything from complex circumstances to deciding on treatment options.
Our ankle replacement specialists
Our locations
From complex foot and ankle surgery to diagnostic tests and procedures, we provide exceptional orthopaedic care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Wellington Hospital Elstree Waterfront
The Waterfront Business Park
Beaufort House, Elstree Road, Elstree WD6 3BS
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Chiswick Medical Centre
Chiswick Medical Centre, Bond House
347-353 Chiswick High Road
London W4 4HS
Request a foot and ankle appointment
We're happy to help you make an appointment with one of our experienced foot and ankle consultants. We can also make imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments for you.