Ankle Arthritis

Irritation of the thick band under the foot where it attaches to the heel bone, causing stabbing heel pain with the first steps of the morning.

Plantar Fasciitis

Wear of the cartilage in the ankle joint, usually years after a fracture or repeated sprains, causing deep aching, stiffness and pain with every step.

Ankle Arthritis

Overuse irritation and degeneration of the Achilles tendon, either in its middle or where it attaches to the heel, causing pain and stiffness above the heel with activity.

Achilles Tendinitis

An ankle that keeps rolling or giving way long after the original sprain, because the outer ligaments healed stretched and loose.

Ankle Instability

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Ankle Arthritis

Ankle arthritis is the loss of cartilage between the shin bone and the talus.

Unlike hip and knee arthritis, it usually follows an injury rather than age alone, so patients are often younger.The ankle carries more force per square inch than any other joint, so even small cartilage loss is felt with every step.

At a glance

Also calledPost-traumatic arthritis

Most commonYears after a fracture

First stepStanding X-rays

Treated by

Daniel Hoopes, MD, Foot and Ankle surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. HoopesFoot and Ankle

or call801-640-0000

Ankle Arthritis

Symptoms

Deep aching in the ankle with walking and standing, worse on uneven ground and at the end of the day.Stiffness in the morning. Swelling. Loss of the ability to flex the foot up, and a shortened stride.

Grinding and catching when spurs form at the front.

Common signs

Deep ankle ache with walking

Worse on uneven ground

Morning stiffness

Shortened stride

See us sooner if

Hot, red, swollen ankle

Sudden deformity

Ankle Arthritis

Causes

Most ankle arthritis is post-traumatic: a prior ankle fracture, years of chronic instability from repeated sprains, or a cartilage injury of the talus. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and hemophilia cause the rest.Primary osteoarthritis from age alone is uncommon in the ankle.

Ankle Arthritis

How We Diagnose It

Exam assesses alignment, motion, stability and the neighboring foot joints.Standing X-rays confirm cartilage loss and show deformity. CT maps the bone for surgical planning, and MRI assesses cartilage and ligaments in early disease.Alignment of the whole leg is checked because it affects every treatment.Most ankle arthritis here follows an old ski or trail fracture; fusion and replacement are both performed locally. Dr. Hoopes operates at Utah Valley Hospital and Timpanogos Regional Hospital.

Ankle Arthritis

Treatment Options

A stiff-soled rocker shoe, bracing, activity changes, anti-inflammatories and injections help many patients for years.

Arthroscopy removes impinging spurs in earlier disease.For end-stage arthritis, the choice is between ankle fusion, which is durable, and total ankle replacement, which preserves motion. Dr. Hoopes performs both and will lay out the trade-offs.

Your options

Non-surgical

Rocker-sole shoe

Bracing

Anti-inflammatories

Injections

Surgical

Arthroscopy for spurs

Ankle fusion

Ankle replacement

Total Ankle Replacement

Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle Fracture Repair

Ankle Arthritis

Procedures That Address It

Total Ankle Replacement

Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle Fracture Repair

Ankle Arthritis

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Hoopes, MD

Fellowship trained in foot and ankle surgery at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. Twelve years in practice.

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330