FAQ

Ankle Arthritis

INTRO
CAUSES
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENTS OPTIONS
COMPLICATIONS
ORTHOFIX SOLUTIONS

Ankle Arthritis

Ankle arthritis is a stiffening of the joint that restricts mobility and use. There are 50,000 new cases of ankle arthritis in the U.S. every year. 8

Ankle Arthritis

Causes

Wear and tear over time and swelling in the joint (often due to other causes, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease), as well as trauma and immune conditions, can lead to stiffness, pain, and a reduced ability to move, walk and even stand.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of arthritis involves a physical exam, evaluation of the patient’s medical history and imaging such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT.

Treatment Options

When more conservative treatments (such as pain medication, steroid injections, activity modifications/limits, walking aids, cushioned and specially designed footwear, and stabilizing braces) have failed, ankle arthrodesis may be performed.8 The goal of the procedure, commonly known as ankle fusion (as the tibia, fibula and talus are fused into one bone), is to relieve pain and maintain or improve function by eliminating motion in the arthritic joint. In younger more active patients ankle debridement, distraction arthroplasty and supramalleolar osteotomy (in near normal ranges of movement) are all options which aim to attempt to conserve the joint surface, and may be effective in selected cases. Arthroplasty (joint replacement) may also be offered in some cases.

As part of the fusion procedures, osteotomy (the surgical cutting or removal of a piece of bone to alter alignment) may be performed in the lower leg, with the use of external fixation. This procedure stabilizes the operative site, allowing the bones to heal together. In case of infection or very damaged soft tissues, external fixation is the preferred treatment.9

Complications

Even after ankle fusion, patients may still have pain and may require further surgery if infection of the incision site or loosening of the bones arises.8 Left untreated, patients will continue to lose motion in the ankle and experience an increase in pain that restricts mobility and everyday activities.

Ankle Hindfoot Nailing System™

Important safety information: Download the Product Instructions For Use.

The Orthofix Ankle Hindfoot Nailing System (AHN) is designed to be used for the fusing and fixation of bones in the ankle.

  1. Gallagher B. Treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis re-evaluated. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Medical Center. http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/documents/orthopaedics/files/Gallagher%20-%20f-a%20NMN.pdf [Accessed December 2015].
  2. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS). Ankle arthrodesis. Rosemont, IL: AOFAS. http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Ankle-Arthrodesis.aspx [Accessed October 2015].