When more conservative measures fail to address severe arthritis-related ankle discomfort, ankle surgery may become necessary. Your age, quantity of activity, and the extent of your joint damage or deformity will all determine the best kind of surgery for you. A prosthetic joint or even a bone fusion may be required for severely injured ankle joints.
During this treatment, the ends of the broken bones are roughened by the surgeon and then screwed together using metal plates. The broken bones unite to form a single, damaged bone during the healing process.
Anatomy of Ankle Joints
The intricate ankle joint, sometimes referred to as the tibiotalar joint by medical professionals, permits your foot to pivot and rotate with respect to your leg. Ankle joints are formed by the union of three distinct bones.
- tibia, or the bigger leg bone
- the smaller bone on the outside of your leg, the fibula
- The talus, or the bone that joins your leg and foot.
These bones are cushioned by cartilage, which covers their ends and facilitates smooth joint motion. The bone surfaces in the ankle will rub against one another when moving if the cartilage is injured or deteriorates as a result of illness or trauma. Osteoarthritis, or joint inflammation, results in ankle pain and edema. Osteoarthritis’s grinding away of the bone surfaces over time might result in bone spurs and stiffness in the joint.
What is Ankle Replacement Surgery?
Ankle replacement surgery involves removing some of the joint’s bone and cartilage and replacing it with prosthetic implants in order to treat ankle arthritis. There are three components to a whole ankle replacement prosthesis: An implant made of polyethylene i.e. plastic which is sandwiched between a titanium metal component fixed to the tibia and a cobalt-chrome piece affixed to the talus. An ankle replacement preserves joint motion while providing relief from arthritis.
Not everyone with ankle arthritis is a good candidate for an ankle replacement. If you have very unstable or malformed ankles, it cannot fit you well. Comparably, for patients with specific medical issues, healthcare professionals might not suggest replacement:
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- Bone Infections.
- Circulatory problems.
To find out if you are a candidate for an ankle replacement, the first step is to visit a healthcare professional who will conduct an x-ray and physical examination. There are several types of ankle surgery besides ankle replacement. Ankle fusion or ankle arthroscopy are alternate options if ankle replacement isn’t the best operation for you.
What Are The Types of Ankle Replacement Surgery?
There are several types of ankle replacement procedures, and the selection of the procedure will depend on the individual/patient’s specific condition and the surgeon’s recommendations according to the patient’s diagnostic test.
- Total Ankle Replacement or TAR: It is the most standard type of ankle replacement surgery. The procedure involves replacing the entire ankle joint of the patient with a prosthetic implant, including the tibia, talus, and sometimes the fibula.
- Ankle Resurfacing: The procedure is a less invasive procedure when compared to total ankle replacement. In this procedure, only the damaged cartilage and bone surfaces of the tibia and talus of the patient are removed and substituted with metal components while preserving the healthy bone.
- Revision Ankle Replacement: The surgery is performed when a previously implanted ankle replacement device needs to be replaced or revised due to issues such as wear and tear, implant failure, or complications.
Following the types ankle replacement surgery can also be performed using different surgical techniques, such as open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and in some cases, robotic-assisted surgery. The choice of the surgical approach will depend on the patient’s specific condition, the expertise of the surgeon, and the available technology where it is taken.
Ankle Replacement Surgery Cost in India
Ankle Replacement Surgery Cost in India starts from Rs. 2,50,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 (3000 USD to 6000 USD). When the price and the amount of ankle replacement surgery cost in India are compared to other well-developed countries, it’s more affordable. The country has also some of the best medical facilities and state-of-the-art equipment with well-known orthopedic doctors.
| Starting Cost | Rs. 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Average Cost | Rs. 3,32,000 (4000 USD) |
| Maximum Cost | Rs. 5,00,000 (6000 USD) |
Starting Average Prices in Different Cities:
| Cities | Starting Price |
| Delhi | Rs 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Gurgaon | Rs 2,25,000 (2700 USD) |
| Noida | Rs. 2,00,000 (2400 USD) |
| Mumbai | Rs 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Hyderabad | Rs. 2,00,000 (2400 USD) |
| Chennai | Rs 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
| Kolkata | Rs. 2,00,000 (2400 USD) |
| Bangalore | Rs 2,50,000 (3000 USD) |
What Are The Types of Diagnosis Done for Ankle Replacement Surgery?
A consultation with an orthopedic surgeon involves the following components:
- An overview of your medical history: Your orthopedic surgeon will ask about your general health, the intensity of your shoulder pain, and your level of functioning.
- A physical examination will measure ankle motion, strength, and it’s stability.
- Tests using X-rays: X-rays are helpful in determining the extent of an ankle injury.
Your orthopedic physician will decide whether ankle replacement is the best course of action to lessen your discomfort and improve your function after going over the results of your assessment with you. ConsiderationAlternative treatment options, including medication, injections, physical therapy, and different types of surgery, will also be discussed and taken into account.
How Ankle Replacement Surgery is Performed?
Your healthcare professional can assist you in understanding the specifics of your procedure. Together with a group of highly skilled medical specialists, an orthopedic surgeon will execute ankle replacement. It can take several hours to complete the surgery.
- During the procedure, you will most likely be put to sleep using general anesthesia, which will prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort.
- Throughout the procedure, a medical practitioner will closely check your vital indicators, such as your blood pressure and heart rate.
- Your surgeon will first clean the damaged area before making an incision through your ankle’s muscle and skin, and potentially another one on your foot.
- Your talus and shinbone that are injured will be removed by your surgeon.
- The new metal joint surfaces will next be affixed to the fragments of your remaining bones by your surgeon. A specific kind of cement may be used by your surgeon to secure them in place.
- In order to allow the new metal joint spaces to effortlessly glide against one another, your surgeon will most likely also implant a piece of plastic between them.
- Your medical professional might perform additional required maintenance.
- Your foot and ankle’s cutaneous and muscular layers will be surgically sealed by your surgeon.
After an ankle replacement procedure, recovery can take six to twelve months. Most people who have a cast or splint use a walker or crutches. The ankle remains immobile until it heals due to the split or cast. Your doctor may advise you to take blood clot-prevention medication during this period. You can regain ankle mobility with physical therapy following surgery.
Why Choose Dr. N. K. Magu?
Dr. N. K. Magu is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon from India whose outstanding expertise and dedication to the field have gained him international fame. Over the course of several decades, Dr. N. K. Magu has proven to be an exceptional specialist in a number of orthopedic fields, especially when it comes to hip preservation, reconstruction, proximal femoral osteotomies, and other related areas. His reputation as one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the world has been cemented by his unparalleled commitment to enhancing the quality of life for his many patients.
