Ankle Replacement in Iowa City, IA

Foot & Ankle Surgeons in Iowa City, IA

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Common questions

Ankle replacement or ankle fusion, how do they differ?

Replacement preserves motion and may protect neighboring joints; fusion eliminates motion at the ankle but is durable and long-established. The better option depends on your age, activity, bone quality, and alignment, a foot and ankle surgeon can weigh these with you.

How long is recovery after ankle replacement?

Weight-bearing typically resumes within two to six weeks in a boot, with a gradual return to normal walking over a few months. Full recovery commonly takes six months to a year.

Who is a candidate?

Candidates typically have end-stage ankle arthritis with adequate bone quality and reasonably good alignment, and lower-impact activity goals. Severe deformity or certain prior infections may point toward fusion instead.

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