Based in the heart of NY, Advance Foot and Ankle Solutions offers the best facility for performing ankle arthritis surgery, while catering to all other various foot and ankle problems. Look no further when you can have direct access to the globally acclaimed specialist team of foot and ankle surgeons, supervising & managing your ankle arthritis surgery with diligence and dedication.
Advance Foot and Ankle Solutions support team is absolutely attentive to your requirements related to ankle arthritis surgery. Call & book an appointment right away for professionally diagnosed, treated and empathetically cured foot and ankle issues, to lead a wholesome, enviable lifestyle.
Overview Of The Ankle Anatomy
The ankle is a large and complex joint made up of 3 bones:
- The tibia (shin bone)
- The fibula (slender bone running beside the tibia)
- The talus (foot bone located above the heel bone)
The bony bumps or protrusions observed and palpated on the ankle have been titled with varied names:
- The medial malleolus, located on the inside of the ankle forms the part of the tibia’s base.
- The lateral malleolus, located on the outside of the ankle forms the lower end of the fibula.
- The posterior malleolus, located at the rear of the ankle also forms the part of the tibia’s base.s
The ankle joint allows up-and-down movement of the foot. The subtalar joint that is fixed below the ankle joint, allows side-to-side motion of the foot. Numerous ligaments surround the true ankle and subtalar joints, binding the bones of the leg to each other and to those of the foot, forming up a complex movable structure that is the foundation of the foot’s anatomy and histology.
Overview Of Ankle Arthritis
The term “arthritis” is defined as the pain and stiffness felt in your feet and ankles as your age advances in years. If left untreated, it may give rise to a number of conditions that gradually destroy the workings of a normal joint, cause an irritating pain that can grow worse, subsequently turning so excruciating that you can no longer afford to cover even short distances on foot. The most severe forms of arthritis can restrict your mobility and limit your quality of life to a considerable extent, but with proper treatment and care, the development of arthritis can be well retarded and a more productive life can be led.
Arthritis may occur at the following locations with variable intensity of symptoms and their effects on daily life:
- Feet & Ankles
- Hands
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Back
- Hips
- Knees
Almost half of people would have developed arthritis while in their 60s and 70s in the foot and/or ankle that may not cause presentable symptoms. Arthritis is almost solely attributed as a joint degenerative condition that cannot be treated completely for life; however its ill-effects can be lessened and its progress to a more severe stage can be delayed or even prevented via appropriate cure and care techniques at our Foot and ankle Clinic in NY.
The Different Types Of Ankle Arthritis
Your feet can be affected by several different types of arthritis, mentioned below:
- Osteoarthritis
- Gouty Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Infectious Arthritis
- Metabolic Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Traumatic Arthritis
Causes Leading To Ankle Arthritis
- A Bleeding Disorder such as hemophilia
- A previous Fracture or a bad Ankle Sprain
- Gout or Arthritis in other areas of the body
- An Infection in the ankle
- Abnormal Foot Mechanics, such as flat feet or high arches
- Using Drugs, both prescription and illegal street drugs
- As A Congenital Autoimmune Disease Syndrome where a defective gene may play a role
- Being Overweight leading to rapid joint degeneration
The Associated Symptoms Of Ankle Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the type of joint that is affected. Although arthritic pain develops gradually over time, it may occur all of a sudden as well.
- Pain & Stiffness around the ankle with movement
- Pain That Worsens with vigorous activity
- Feeling Of Tenderness when the joint is palpated
- Swelling, Warmth & Redness in the joint
- Elevated Pain & Swelling in the morning, or after resting or sitting
- Difficulty In Walking Or Bending the joint
- Wearing Normal Footwear turning problematic
- Ankle Deformity increasing progressively
- Skin Changes including rashes and growths
The Diagnostic Procedure
An experienced foot and ankle specialist would be able to employ the latest diagnostic methodologies that include the following:
- A Thorough Medical History for careful decision-making
- A Detailed Physical Examination for general assessment and confirming the deformed structure(s)
- Imaging Techniques developed to serve the very purpose of acquiring precision, accuracy and reliability that include:
- X-rays
- Bone Scans
- CT Scans
- MRI Scans
- Laboratory Blood Tests to determine the type of arthritis
The Course Of Treatment Of Ankle Arthritis
Although there is no established, permanent cure for arthritis, but there are available a number of treatments that may help relieve the pain and disability it can lead to.
The Conservative Treatment Methodology
To help relieve symptoms, the initial treatment of arthritis of the ankle is usually nonsurgical. Your NY expert orthopedic surgeon may begin or recommend the treatment procedure with one or more of the following noninvasive approaches:
- Immobilization via protecting and restricting the ankle and foot in a cast or removable cast-boot may be necessary to allow the inflammation to resolve
- Orthotic Devices that are custom-manufactured as shoe inserts and arch supports to provide support to improve the foot’s mechanics or cushioning to help minimize pain
- Bracing which restricts motion and supports the joint, can reduce pain during walking and help prevent further deformity
- Minimizing Activities that aggravate the condition or worsen the discomfort
- Controlling Obesity to reduce stress on the joints, resulting in diminished pain and increased foot function
- Medicationsin the form of oral NSAIDs often recommended to reduce pain and inflammation
- Injection Therapy comprising of corticosteroids medication may reduce inflammatory and painful condition
- Physiotherapy utilizing ultrasound or other physical therapy modalities and exercises may be arranged for to strengthen the muscles, give greater stability and provide temporary relief
The above-stated procedures do control symptoms for a short period of time, but they aren’t sufficient to stop the condition from progressing and deteriorating.
The Non-conservative Treatment Methodology
When ankle arthritis has failed to improve with nonsurgical treatment and has resultantly progressed significantly, surgery may be recommended as the only viable option to treat severely worsened cases. The primary aim of surgery is to decrease pain and improve podiatric function. Your foot and ankle specialist surgeon would take into consideration a number of factors prior to selecting the procedure best suited to your health condition and lifestyle, listed below:
- Type of the arthritis
- Location of the arthritis
- Impact of the arthritis on your joints
The complete surgical procedure may consist of one or several of the following in combinations:
- Arthroscopic Debridement, a procedure to remove loose cartilage, inflamed synovial tissue, and bone spurs from around the joint via extremely small incisions
- Arthrodesis (Fusion), a procedure that fuses the bones of the joint completely, making one continuous bone; damaged cartilage is removed and pins, plates and screws, or rods used to fix the joint in a permanent position, making it immovable
- Arthroplasty (Total Ankle Replacement) , a procedure where your doctor removes the damaged cartilage and bone, and then firmly fixes new metal or plastic joint surfaces to restore the joint function, offering more movement and mobility
The Recovery & Rehabilitation Phase
- Full recovery can take from 4 to 9 months, depending on the severity of your condition prior to surgery and the complexity of the procedure performed.
- To reduce swelling and the discomfort, you would be advised to keep your foot elevated above your chest level for 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
- A cast would be applied after surgery to limit movement in your foot and ankle and to prevent nonunion.
- Pain-killer medication are generally prescribed by your surgeon attendant as domestic therapy.
- At a later stage, physical therapy would be suggested to help you regain strength in your foot or ankle region and to restore range of motion to a moderate extent.