Surgery for Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle

Hopefully the arthritis in your feet will go away with the help of orthotics, foot braces, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and other largely non-invasive treatments.  Sometimes, however, surgery is necessary.

Arthroscopic Debridement is an early-stage surgery for foot or ankle arthritis.  A flexible, thin instrument called the arthroscope is inserted into the affected joint.  This arthroscope has two purposes: The first is to take pictures of the joint so that your doctor has a better idea of where exactly the pain is coming from; the second is to clean away any spurs, inflamed or foreign tissue (a process called debridement).

Another type of surgery commonly used to treat arthritis is called Arthrodesis or Fusion Surgery.  In this procedure, a surgeon will fuse the two affected bones so that they will become one continuous bone, eliminating the joint completely.  The surgeon accomplishes using pins and screws to hold the bones in place until they naturally fuse together.  This surgery is usually very successful.  The most common problem occurs when adjacent, formerly healthy joints become affected with arthritis due to the increased pressure they are now under.  

In cases where the arthritis is extremely advanced, has destroyed the bones of the ankle or interferes significantly with daily life, Arthroplasty or Joint Replacement Surgery may be necessary.  By replacing the joint with prosthesis, a surgeon will not only eliminate pain but also improve the joint’s mobility.  Sometimes the implant fails later in life and will need to be replaced.

Foot and ankle surgery is never something to take lightly.  Though a full recovery is possible, the recovery period is long.  You can expect to rest your foot for 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery by keeping your foot elevated to chest level.  It may be as long as 3 to 4 months before you can resume your usual daily physical activities.  In the meantime, physical therapy after the surgery may be necessary to help you regain strength and stability in your foot and ankle.  Special post-surgery shoes, braces or crutches may be required.  Don’t attempt to force your recovering foot into your old shoes.  It will need extra support and protection, and your surgeon or podiatrist will be able to tell you what type of shoes to look for.  Also, don’t be surprised if your recovering foot changes size after the surgery.  Swelling may leave it larger than normal for quite some time.  Full recovery may not occur for as long as 9 months.  Though hopefully you will be on your feet much sooner, you should prepare for a long haul.