What is ankle replacement surgery?

Ankle replacement is a surgical treatment for ankle arthritis in which portions bone and cartilage in joint removed and replaced with prosthetic implants. A total ankle replacement prosthesis is made up of three different parts: A titanium metal component is attached to the tibia, a cobalt-chrome piece is connected to the talus, and a polyethylene (plastic) implant is placed between the two. An ankle replacement takes away pain from arthritis, while also preserving motion at the joint.

The surface of the tibia and talus that make up the ankle joint is removed. In their place, metal pieces are inserted into the bone. Then, a plastic insert it attached to the metal piece on the tibia. In a replacement, the metal piece on the talus will rub against the plastic piece attached the tibial implant. This takes away the pain for the ankle arthritis and preserves the motion in the joint.

AVORS Medical Group Foot & Ankle Surgeon is a specialist in all things to do with the foot, whether that’s the skin, nails, the joints, or the muscles of the foot and ankle. The feet are an amazing piece of your anatomy and if they’re not functioning right, can really affect your quality of life. Podiatry is a very unique field, and is something that Dr. Hopkins particularly enjoys because its one of the rare medical specialties where you can very quickly have a meaningful impact in a patient’s life. “My goal is to get you back to living your best life and getting you back to doing what you love.”

Dr. Hopkins is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon specializing in foot trauma and fracture care, podiatric surgery, sports medicine, wound care, and regenerative medicine. He works in the hospital on all foot traumas, as well as in his community clinic prescribing orthotics to help peoples feet, performing nail surgery, sports medicine and injury, and diabetic care.

Who should get an ankle replacement?

Ankle replacement is for patients who are no longer able to manage their ankle arthritis pain and swelling with nonsurgical treatments such as:

• physical therapy
• ankle braces
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• corticosteroid injections

Should I get an ankle replacement or an ankle fusion?

Studies have shown that replacement and fusion offer the same degree of pain relief, but that ankle replacement provides much better function in the ankle by retaining the joint’s flexibility. But in some patients, ankle replacement is not possible, and fusion is the appropriate option.



Before ankle replacement gained acceptance, ankle fusion surgery was the standard treatment for ankle arthritis. In an ankle fusion, the two bones of the ankle, the tibia and the talus, are joined together and held in place with plates and/or screws. Over time, the bones heal together. Once that occurs, the joint will no longer hurt, but will also no longer bend.

Dr. Kyle Hopkins, DPM is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon and is a specialist in all things to do with the foot, whether that’s the skin, nails, the joints, or the muscles of the foot and ankle.

To learn more about what Dr. Kyle Hopkins, DPM can offer, click on the following www.avorsmedgroup.com/Kyle-Hopkins

Call us at 661-726-5005 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kyle Hopkins