Ankle Replacement Specialist

Madison Advanced Foot & Ankle

Foot & Ankle Surgery & Podiatry located in Madison, WI

If you suffer from ankle pain and limited mobility due to late-stage ankle arthritis, it may be time to consider an ankle replacement. Fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon Colin Graney, DPM, has extensive experience performing total ankle replacements at Madison Advanced Foot & Ankle in Madison, Wisconsin. To find out if an ankle replacement is right for you, call or book an appointment online today.

Ankle Replacement Q & A

What is an ankle replacement?

Ankle joint replacement, also known as total ankle replacement or total ankle arthroplasty, is a surgical treatment for advanced ankle arthritis. This procedure involves removing parts of your ankle that are damaged by arthritis and replacing them with artificial implants. 

Though not as common as knee replacements or hip replacements, ankle replacements have increased in success and popularity due to design improvements in modern ankle implants. Now, total ankle replacement is the preferred treatment to ankle fusion for end-stage ankle arthritis.

Why would I need an ankle joint replacement?

Ankle arthritis is the most common reason for an ankle replacement. Dr. Graney uses ankle replacement surgery to treat advanced cases of the two most common types of arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. 

Your ankle joint is where your shin bone (tibia) meets the top bone of your foot (talus). In a healthy ankle joint, slippery cartilage cushions the ends of these bones and allows for smooth movement. 

When you have osteoarthritis, the cartilage wears down and may cause your bones to grind together painfully. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes your immune system to attack the tissues that surround your joint capsule. Both types of arthritis cause swelling, pain, and stiffness that can make it difficult or impossible to walk.

Before considering an ankle joint replacement, Dr. Graney makes sure you’ve tried every available nonsurgical treatment option. If you continue to suffer from pain and debilitating symptoms of ankle arthritis, he may recommend joint replacement surgery to improve your quality of life. 

What should I expect from ankle replacement surgery?

It’s normal to feel nervous about ankle replacement surgery. You can rest assured knowing that Dr. Graney is board-qualified in complex foot and ankle procedures, including total joint replacement. Before your procedure, he spends time answering any questions you may have so you can feel confident and prepared.

Ankle replacement surgery typically takes place in a hospital while you’re asleep under general anesthesia. Dr. Graney makes an incision in your ankle, and possibly another on your foot. Then, he carefully removes the damaged parts of your shin bone and talus before attaching new, prosthetic surfaces to the ends of your bones. Then, he closes the incisions.

After surgery, Dr. Graney provides you with instructions on how to care for the incisions and works with you to create a plan for rehabilitation.

If you’re considering ankle replacement surgery, call Madison Advanced Foot & Ankle or book an appointment online today.