Ankle Arthritis Treatment Complete Overview
Ankle Arthritis
If your arthritis is not too severe, simple measures such as losing weight, using walking aids and avoiding high impact activities can effectively treat it. Activities such as cycling, swimming and walking are encouraged.
When it becomes more severe, the next step is anti-inflammatories, painkillers, physiotherapy, orthotics, ankle bracing or a custom fitted splint. Sometimes cortisone injections or a lubricant will be offered and may offer relief.
- Arthroscopic debridement
- Joint arthrodesis (fusion)
- Joint replacement
Arthroscopic debridement
This is a day procedure using keyhole surgery with a recovery time of around 6-12 weeks. It is generally most suitable for early arthritis. Bone spurs and loose bodies are removed and irregularities in remaining cartilage tidied up. There is around a 70% improvement rate but in 2% of patients, the process may actually accelerate the deterioration requiring further surgery sooner than expected.
Ankle arthrodesis
If you have severe arthritis this surgical technique is the most suitable. It involves removing bone from the both the shin and ankle bones and holding them together with screws. The ends of the bones then grow or fuse together. Even though ankle motion is eliminated, the adjacent joints compensate and allow up to 30% of motion to return. The increased load across the other joints can cause arthritis to develop in those as well and some patients will require additional fusion in the future.
Hospital stay | 1-2 nights |
Rest & elevation | 10-14 days |
Moon boot (non-weight bearing) | 2 weeks |
Moon boot (non-weight bearing) | 4 weeks |
Moon boot (full weight bearing) | 6 weeks |
Crutches/frame | 6-8 weeks |
Seated | 4-6 weeks |
Standing | 3 months |
Walking well | 3 months |
Swelling settles | 6 months |
Final result | 12 months |
- Fusion is reliable in providing long term pain relief for younger patients with high physical demands. It results in a limp free gait and allows return to more physical work
- Preserves ankle motion
- Relieves painful symptoms
- Allows return to physical activities
- There can be wound problems depending on age and general health
- Further surgery may be required sooner than expected
- There is a failure rate of 2%
- You may require adjustment surgery in first 5 years
- Time off work may be extended depending on recovery