- Dr Greisberg has performed more than 500 ankle arthritis surgeries.
Arthritis of the ankle is much less common than in the hip or knee, but can be just as debilitating. There are several interesting features that make ankle arthritis different than hip or knee. On the good side, there are neighboring joints just below the ankle (in the hindfoot) that help it out. This can make symptoms and treatment options easier. On the other hand, ankles tend to be less responsive to some non-surgical treatments, such as injections or physical therapy.
Surgery for ankle arthritis can make a huge difference in a person’s quality of life. The two most common options are replacements and fusion. In an ankle fusion (arthrodesis), the tibia is fused to the talus, so the ankle joint is gone. Pain is much improved, and the neighboring hindfoot joints give some motion, so stiffness is not so bad for most patients. With an ankle replacement, the ends of the bone are resurfaced with metal implants. While both options offer big improvements in pain, ankle replacements can often give more motion. The decision between replacement and fusion is complex, and a discussion with the surgeon is important.