Faith Regional Health Services | living WELL | Summer 2016

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6 FAITH REGIONAL HEALTH SERVICES
JOINT REPLACEMENT
SURGERY CAN BE A
L I FE-CHANGER
IF AN ARTHRITIC ankle has
you limping and in pain even dur-
ing a short stroll to the mailbox, you
might wish you could just trade in
your old joint for a new one.
Well, maybe you can.
Just like worn-out hips and knees,
damaged ankles can often be replaced
with artificial ones.
Out with the old,
in with the new
Total ankle replacement surgery can
help people with debilitating ankle
pain enjoy an active life again. It’s
become more common as implant
technology has improved.
“Typical candidates have severe
arthritis or injuries and can no lon-
ger walk or perform daily activities
Need a new ankle?
To learn more
about joint replacement
surgery, visit
and click on “Our
Services” and select
“Orthopedics.”
without pain,” says Zackary Gangwer,
DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon at
Faith Regional Physician Services
Orthopedics. “Most are in their 50s
or 60s, though older adults may be
candidates too. The cause of the
arthritis is usually post-traumatic, but
some conditions, such as rheumatoid
arthritis, may be the cause.”
During the ankle replacement, the
foot and ankle specialist removes the
damaged bone and cartilage. Next,
a prosthetic joint made of metal and
plastic parts is implanted. Special
cement may be used to hold the new
joint in place. All of this takes a few
hours and often requires just an over-
night hospital stay.
The road to recovery
Your ankle will be in a cast and splint
after surgery for a few weeks to prevent
it from moving and allow bone to
grow into the metal implants.
You may need to use crutches, a
walker or a knee scooter for several
weeks to avoid putting weight on your
new ankle. You usually begin walking
2 to 4 weeks after surgery.
“Full recovery can take six months
to a year,“ Dr. Gangwer says. “Once
you’re completely healed, you can
typically expect to walk and move
your ankle with little to no pain.”
A foot and ankle surgeon can tell
you more about the risks and benefits
of ankle replacement and whether you
may be a candidate.
Sources: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons;
National Institutes of Health
Zackary Gangwer, DPM,
foot and ankle surgeon
at Faith Regional
Physician Services
Orthopedics, provides
comprehensive care of
the foot, including ankle
replacement surgery
as well as revision and
reconstruction surgery.