Ankle Replacement Specialist
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David M. Bloome, MD
Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon located in Houston, TX
Like hip and knee replacement surgeries, ankle replacement surgery is also a promising way to relieve pain and restore mobility for deteriorating joints. David M. Bloome, MD is an experienced orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon in Houston who offers total ankle replacement (arthroplasty) surgery for those with severe arthritis. If you’re living with severe ankle pain and other treatments haven’t provided relief, you may be a good candidate for ankle replacement surgery. Call the office or schedule a consultation using the online booking tool to learn more.
Ankle Replacement Q & A
What is arthroplasty, or ankle replacement surgery?
Just as you would have a hip replaced or undergo knee replacement surgery for a deteriorated joint, arthroplasty, or total ankle replacement surgery, is an option for men and women who want to alleviate pain and regain mobility in a degenerative ankle joint. This type of surgery is typically prescribed to treat the severe effects of arthritis in ankles. The goal of an ankle replacement procedure is to improve mobility and alleviate pain so you can participate in many of the activities you enjoy, or at the very least, be able to walk without severe pain.
Ankle replacement surgery can also correct deformities and rehabilitate patients of all ages who’ve suffered a traumatic ankle arthritis.
Who is a good candidate for an ankle replacement?
If you suffer from debilitating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or other degenerative diseases that no longer respond to a more conservative treatment approach, you may be a good candidate for a total ankle replacement. Sometimes, as a result of arthritis, injury, or another health condition, the cartilage, and bones in your ankle are difficult to repair. That might leave ankle replacement surgery as the solution to helping you return to your daily activities with ease.
Before considering ankle replacement surgery, some of the more conservative treatment options Dr. Bloome may prescribe include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Ankle braces
- Physical therapy
- Prescription pain medications
- Activity modification or avoidance
- Steroid or other types of injections
If you’ve already tried these treatment options but still aren’t getting adequate relief from ankle pain, or you’ve lost range of motion, ankle replacement surgery may be the next step.
What is the recovery period after ankle replacement surgery?
Like hip or knee replacement surgeries, ankle replacement surgery usually requires a stay in the hospital. Once you go home, you’ll need to elevate your ankle to prevent swelling and promote the healing process. Dr. Bloome advises you regarding all activities you should or shouldn’t do, but plan to keep weight off your ankle for several days.
After initial healing in your ankle, you may begin recovery with gentle, range-of-motion movements that don’t require you to put any weight on your foot. After a few weeks, Dr. Bloome may increase your exercises, and you’ll slowly begin to put weight on your new ankle joint.
If you need a more permanent solution to your ankle pain and you’d like to restore range of motion, call or schedule a consultation online with Dr. Bloome so you can learn more about total ankle replacement surgery.
