Total Ankle Replacement, Total Ankle Replacement Recovery, Total Ankle Replacement vs Ankle Fusion!

Total Ankle Replacement

What is Total Ankle Replacement?

What are the Benefits of Total Ankle Replacement?

How Long does it take to Recover from Total Ankle Replacement?

What type of Physical Therapy is done after a Total Ankle Replacement?

What are the Benefits of Total Ankle Replacement compared to Ankle Fusion?

Are you a Candidate for a Total Ankle Replacement?

What is the Post Total Ankle Replacement surgery limitations and a Return to Normal Activities?

Learn these things and more from

Douglas Pacaccio, DPM Board Certified by The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery.

Dr. Pacaccio is also owner of Advanced Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Inc.

www.AdvancedFAS.com
815-669-4811

Contact Advanced Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Inc. to find out of Total Ankle Replacement is right for you!

What is Total Ankle Replacement?

A Total Ankle Replacement is a prosthetic joint similar to a knee or hip replacement. A painful, dysfunctional and arthritic joint is replaced with mechanical components. The Total Ankle Replacement allows the joint to function like a normal healthy joint that the individual was born with.

Who is a Candidate for a Total Ankle Replacement?

Ideal candidates are over the age of 55, have minimal joint deformity, Low BMI, Non-Smoker, No Lower Extremity Circulatory issues, does not have neuropathy and has no previous history of infection.

Though this represents the ideal candidate there are exceptions. Individuals experiencing foot and ankle pain should seek an evaluation from a competent foot and ankle surgeon that has significant experience performing Total Ankle Replacement surgeries.

Age is an important consideration because the joint needs to outlast the life of the patient receiving the joint replacement.

Not all patients are candidates for a Total Ankle Replacement. If you are experiencing foot and ankle pain consult with a surgeon that has experience with the Total Ankle Replacement procedure.

Total Ankle Replacement vs. Ankle Fusion

Total Ankle Replacement
• Patients state function and feels “Normal” like the biological joint
• Functions like un-injured joint
• Full range of motion, flexibility and mobility
• Reduced or eliminated pain
• Not every patient is a candidate

Ankle Fusion
• Only option for some patients
• Reduced or eliminated pain
• Fixed and Rigid joint
• Decreased range of motion (or no motion), flexibility and mobility

People are not even aware that a Total Ankle Replacement is possible. Though it is similar to a total hip or knee replacement which is well known.

Many patients believed the only option to reduce or eliminate ankle pain was an Ankle Fusion.

How long does it take to Recover from a Total Ankle Replacement?

• 2 Weeks non-weight bearing
• Therapeutic Walking Boot after 2 weeks
• 12-16 weeks of Physical Therapy
• Able to wear a tennis shoe at 6 weeks
• 3-4 months most patients are 80% recovered
• 1 year to full recovery


What type of Physical Therapy is done after a Total Ankle Replacement?
• Physical Therapy is as important as the Total Ankle Replacement Surgery
• Surgeon and Physical Therapist developed Protocol
• Will share protocol with physical therapist
• Surgeon available to support and consult with physical therapist if needed to make sure therapist understands how to administer the protocol and the patient is getting the best are possible
• Able to have physical therapy where you choose



What are the Post Total Ankle Replacement surgery limitations and a Return to Normal Activities?

Patients that have had a Total Ankle Replacement return to normal daily activities. The best part is they are free from ankle pain.

Patients and shop, walk, clean and return to almost any and every daily activity.

The few exceptions are things like extreme sports, soccer, football, horseback riding and marathon running. Consult with your foot and ankle surgeons for individual exceptions that may or may not apply to you.

Contact Dr. Pacaccio of Advanced Foot and Ankle Surgeons, Inc. for an evaluation.

www.AdvancedFAS.com
815-669-4811