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Summary for Patients: Total Ankle Replacement Versus Arthrodesis for End-Stage Ankle Osteoarthritis

What is the problem and what is known about it so far? Pain from ankle arthritis can be severe and make walking difficult. After weight loss, modifying activities, support braces, and analgesia, patients may consider surgical options, such as total ankle replacement or ankle fusion. With ankle fusion, the surgeon fuses the ankle bones together so that there is no ankle joint movement, although the other joints in the foot can still move. Over the long term, movement and stress in nearby joints may cause pain and require further surgery. Total ankle replacement is a newer treatment that aims to retain joint movement by replacing the entire joint. However, mechanical joints may loosen or wear out with time, requiring further surgery as well. Surgeons consider many factors, such as age, mobility, and severity of deformity, in recommending ankle fusion or replacement.