Relieve the arthritis — keep the motion.
When ankle arthritis reaches the point where every step hurts, total ankle replacement can relieve the pain while preserving the joint's motion — an advantage over fusing the ankle. It's an advanced procedure, and few surgeons offer it. Our fellowship-trained foot & ankle surgeon performs total ankle replacement (and, in select cases, total talus replacement) and will tell you honestly whether you're a candidate.
Also called total ankle arthroplasty; for end-stage ankle arthritis
Specialized foot & ankle consult — typically within a week or twoRequest your first visit
Pick a day and time that works at a NASPAC office near you — we'll call you right back to lock it in.
No referral needed. We verify your insurance before you arrive.
Got it — we'll call you shortly.
A NASPAC team member from a NASPAC office near you will reach out to confirm your visit and answer any questions.
What total ankle replacement really is.
End-stage ankle arthritis wears away the cartilage that lets the ankle glide, leaving bone grinding on bone. It's often post-traumatic — the late result of an old fracture or severe sprain — which is why it can affect people who aren't elderly.
Historically the main surgical answer was ankle fusion, which reliably relieves pain but eliminates the joint's up-and-down motion. Total ankle replacement instead resurfaces the joint with implants, relieving pain while preserving motion — which can mean a more natural gait and less stress on neighboring joints.
Candidacy is individual
Replacement isn't right for everyone — bone quality, alignment, activity level, and prior surgery all matter. Total talus replacement, replacing the entire ankle bone, is a further specialized option for specific situations. We assess all of this before recommending a path.
Arthroplasty vs. arthrodesis
We weigh total ankle arthroplasty against arthrodesis based on deformity, bone stock, adjacent-joint status, and patient demand. Motion preservation can reduce adjacent-joint overload, but implant selection and alignment correction are critical to longevity.
Common signs we treat.
Deep, constant ankle pain
Aching deep in the ankle that's present with most walking and often lingers at rest as arthritis advances.
Stiffness and lost motion
The ankle no longer flexes the way it used to, making stairs, slopes, and uneven ground difficult.
Swelling and grinding
Recurrent swelling and a grinding or bone-on-bone sensation with movement.
From hurting to healed.
We work from the least-invasive options upward, escalating only if you need it. Most patients improve well before surgery is ever discussed.
Confirm end-stage arthritis
Weight-bearing imaging and an exam confirm the arthritis, its pattern, and any deformity or alignment problem.
Exhaust conservative care
Bracing, anti-inflammatories, injections, and activity changes are tried first — replacement is for arthritis that has outrun these.
Assess candidacy honestly
We weigh replacement against fusion based on your bone quality, alignment, activity, and goals — and discuss total talus replacement if relevant.
Replace and rehabilitate
If you're a candidate, the joint is resurfaced with implants, followed by a structured rehabilitation to restore strength and a comfortable gait.
Treatment is matched to your specific diagnosis at your visit. The options shown reflect NASPAC's general approach and should be confirmed against the practice's verified procedure list.
Still have questions?
Neither is universally better — they trade off. Fusion reliably relieves pain but removes the ankle's motion; replacement relieves pain while preserving motion, which can mean a more natural gait. The right choice depends on your arthritis, alignment, bone quality, and activity, and we'll walk through both with you.
Candidacy depends on factors like the severity and pattern of arthritis, bone quality, alignment, prior surgeries, and your activity demands. A focused evaluation with weight-bearing imaging is how we determine whether replacement, fusion, or another option fits you best.
It's a further specialized procedure that replaces the entire talus — the central ankle bone — with a custom implant, used in specific situations such as severe bone loss or avascular necrosis. It's offered by very few surgeons; Dr. Ade is trained in it.
Modern ankle implants have improved substantially, and many patients get durable, long-term pain relief. Longevity depends on implant selection, alignment correction, your activity level, and bone quality — all of which we account for in planning.
Stop living with the ankle pain.
Book with a board-certified pain physician near you — most patients are seen within days.
Book an appointment → Or call (855) 862-7767