Conditions Treated

Ankle Arthritis

Ankle arthritis is ‘wear and tear’ which leads to loss of the cartilage in the joint between the tibia, fibula and talus (ankle joint). Cartilage is the lining on the bone ends which allows the joint to move smoothly and pain free. When this cartilage is damaged or lost the joint can become stiff and painful.

What causes it?

Osteoathritis may occur spontaneously with no history of injury.  Sometimes there is an injury or accident which can be recalled or multiple repeated injuries due to instability in the ankle joint.

There are other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis which can cause problems with multiple joints and the ankle can be affected.

What are the symptoms?

The predominant symptoms are pain and stiffness.  Crunching or clicking might be felt in the joint and there may be associated swelling.  As the symptoms progress the pain will become more constant affecting more and more activities and you may get pain at night.

How is it diagnosed?

A thorough history and examination will be performed and plain radiographs will be organised. Sometimes a CT or MRI scan may be necessary to assess the degree of damage and check the surrounding joints.

What are the treatments?

Conservative treatments include activity modification, pain killing tablets and bracing to support the joint.  Occasionally targeted injections may help. If these measures fail and the pain interferes with daily activities you may have to consider surgery.

What operations are available?

After appropriate investigations and a joint decision making process,  ankle fusion or ankle replacement may be recommended. Both operations are reliable at relieving pain and improving function.

We have been performing ankle replacements for 15 years.  The advantage of a replacement is that movement is maintained and this can help to protect other nearby joints from increased wear and tear. The recovery from an ankle replacement is also slightly quicker and easier than recovery after a fusion.

As with all operations there are risks and complications such as infection, nerve damage,  non-union (bones not healing), prosthesis loosening / wear and blood clots (DVT/PE).

We use the Stryker Infinity Total Ankle Replacement which is currently the most popular ankle replacement in the UK and the US.

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More Conditions

Peroneal Tendons

Peroneal Tendons

Pain on the outside of your ankle could be due to inflamed or dislocating peroneal tendons.

Sesamoiditis

Sesamoiditis

The small bones under the big toe can become inflamed or even fragmet, leading to pain.

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s Neuroma

A very common cause of pain in the forefoot and may feel like walking on a ‘pebble in your shoe’.

Lesser Toes

Lesser Toes

Deformity of the toes can often occur due to imbalance of the tendons, which sometimes requires surgical correction.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown Toenails

Recurrent toe nail infections can be frustrating but can often be treated with surgery under local anaesthetic.

Heel Pain

Heel Pain

There are many causes of heel pain so careful examination to make the correct diagnosis is essential.

Flat Feet

Flat Feet

These may be inherited or develop over time leading to pain and difficulty walking on tip toes.

Big Toe Arthritis

Big Toe Arthritis

A stiff big toe joint may be a sign of arthritis which can gradually lead to increased pain and discomfort.

Bunions

Bunions

Most often inherited, affecting women more than men, causing pain and difficulty wearing shoes.

Achilles Tendon Pain

Achilles Tendon Pain

This often becomes painful due to overuse, either in the middle of the tendon, or where it attaches to the heel.

Ankle Sprain

Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are the most common injury seen in the Emergency Department, often leading to pain or giving way (instability).