Operations

When should I consider surgery?

The decision to have surgery is based on a number of factors including:

• Your symptoms - are your symptoms affecting your quality of life?
• Are your activities of daily living affected? For example going up and down stairs or walking to the shops?
• Is your ability to carry out your work affected?
• Can you no longer enjoy recreational activities?
• Is your sleep affected because of pain?
• Your response to non-surgical treatments
• Your needs and expectations (it is important that you discuss these with your surgeon)
• If you have worsening deformity or cannot wear your normal shoes (Note: If you have worsening deformity you must seek a surgical opinion early)

What are the possible advantages of ankle surgery?

The main advantages of ankle surgery can be:

• Long-lasting pain relief
• Better function and mobility and improved quality of life
• A greater choice of comfortable, and sometimes more fashionable footwear

Types of ankle surgery

Keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) may be helpful in the earlier stages of ankle arthritis, but when the disease becomes “end stage” there are two main surgical options; ankle arthrodesis (fusion) and ankle replacement.

We will discuss the benefits and risks of both procedures and whether any additional procedures will be needed at the time of the operation. For example, some people may also require ligament or tendon surgery