Total Ankle Replacement

Ankle arthritis develops when the cartilage cushioning the joint wears away, leaving bone to grind against bone. Early on, bracing, injections, and physical therapy can keep the pain manageable. When arthritis reaches an advanced stage and those options stop working, two surgical paths remain: ankle fusion, which locks the joint in place, or total ankle replacement, which removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with an artificial implant. Dr. Feldman performs total ankle replacement surgery for patients with advanced ankle arthritis — it’s one of the procedures that sets his practice apart in Bethesda and Germantown.

Total ankle replacement is generally considered for patients whose arthritis pain limits daily walking and standing, and who haven’t found lasting relief from conservative treatment. It tends to suit people who want to preserve as much natural ankle motion as possible, rather than trade mobility for stability the way fusion does. Not everyone with ankle arthritis is a candidate — bone quality, alignment, and overall joint health all factor into whether replacement or fusion is the better fit, which is why an in-person evaluation matters.

An evaluation starts with a history, a physical exam, and imaging to confirm the extent of joint damage. If replacement is the right path, Dr. Feldman will walk you through the surgery, the hospital stay, and the recovery timeline — including a period of limited weight-bearing followed by physical therapy to rebuild strength and motion. Every recovery is different, and he sets expectations specific to your ankle, not a generic timeline.