Delivering Advanced Foot and Ankle Arthritis Care with Cutting-Edge Techniques and Technology

817-416-6155
Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a medical term used to describe an inflammatory process of the joints. There are multiple types of arthritic conditions including conditions caused by auto immune disorders and also the most common arthritic condition called Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. Arthritis can be caused by traumatic injuries, auto immune disorders, and natural breakdown from "wear and tear". Arthritis can cause symptoms of severe pain, stiffness, deformities, and joint swelling.

Determining the Right Time for Surgical Intervention

Surgery for arthritis in the foot and ankle is typically considered when non-surgical treatments no longer provide adequate relief and the condition begins to significantly affect your quality of life. Here are the key reasons someone might choose surgery:

Severe, Chronic Pain
- Persistent pain that interferes with walking, standing, or daily activities, even after trying medications, physical therapy, bracing, or injections.
Loss of Function
- Difficulty walking, standing, or wearing shoes due to stiffness, swelling, or deformity that limits mobility or independence.
Deformity or Joint Instability
- Visible misalignment (like a collapsing arch or shifting ankle) or joints that feel unstable, causing imbalance or risk of falls.
Failed Non-Surgical Treatments
- Conservative options like orthotics, corticosteroid injections, or anti-inflammatories no longer help, or only help briefly.
Progressive Worsening
- X-rays or imaging show worsening arthritis (e.g., narrowing joint space, bone spurs, or bone-on-bone contact), and symptoms are increasing over time.
Desire to Maintain an Active Lifestyle
- You want to maintain or regain the ability to be active (e.g., walking, hiking, working) without constant pain or limitation.

Modern surgical treatments for arthritis in the foot and ankle have significantly evolved, with techniques focusing on reducing pain, improving function, and preserving mobility. The specific surgery depends on the location, severity, and type of arthritis (e.g., osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis).

Surgical Solutions for Foot and Ankle Arthritis

1. Arthroscopic Debridement

Best for: Early-stage arthritis.
What it is: Minimally invasive procedure using a camera (arthroscope) to clean out loose cartilage, bone spurs, and inflamed tissue.
Pros: Quick recovery, joint preserved.
Cons: Temporary relief; not suitable for advanced arthritis.

2. Joint Fusion (Arthrodesis)

Best for: Severe arthritis when joint preservation isn’t possible.
What it is: Fusing bones in the ankle to eliminate movement and thus pain.
Pros: Very reliable pain relief, durable.
Cons: Loss of joint motion, which may alter gait and lead to arthritis in nearby joints over time.

3. Total Joint Replacement (TAR / Arthroplasty)

Best for: End-stage ankle arthritis, typically in older or less physically demanding patients.
What it is: Damaged joint surfaces are replaced with metal and plastic implants.
Pros: Preserves motion, more natural gait than fusion.
Cons: Risk of loosening or failure; may require revision surgery.

4. Midfoot and Hindfoot Fusions

Best for: Arthritis in the midfoot or subtalar joint.
What it is: Fusion of specific joints in the foot to reduce pain and deformity.
Pros: Stable foot, pain reduction.
Cons: Reduced mobility in fused joints.

5. Osteotomy

Best for: Misalignment contributing to joint stress.
What it is: Cutting and realigning bones to shift weight away from the arthritic area.
Pros: Joint-preserving; can delay the need for fusion or replacement.
Cons: Requires healthy bone and earlier-stage arthritis.

Surgical Innovation Trends:

3D-printed implants and patient-specific instrumentation
Minimally invasive fusion techniques
Biologic augmentation (e.g., PRP, stem cells) during surgery
Robotics and navigation improving implant alignment and longevity

817-416-6155 Foot and Ankle Associates of North Texas