What Is the Ankle Joint?

The ankle joint connects the tibia (shinbone), fibula, and talus bone in your foot.
It plays a crucial role in:

• Walking and standing

• Balance and stability

• Shock absorption and mobility

When the cartilage in this joint wears down (often from arthritis, trauma, or injury), bones can rub together, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

What Is Ankle Fusion?

Ankle fusion (also called arthrodesis) is a surgical procedure that permanently joins the bones of the ankle together, eliminating motion in the joint to remove pain.

This is typically done when:

• Non-surgical treatments (bracing, injections, therapy) no longer help

• Pain is severe and limits daily activity

• The joint is unstable or severely deformed

How the Procedure Is Done:

1. The surgeon removes damaged cartilage from the ankle joint

2. The tibia and talus bones are aligned and held together

3. Screws, plates, or rods are used to hold the bones in place

4. Over time, the bones fuse (grow together) into one solid structure

Minimally Invasive Option

In many cases, we can perform minimally invasive ankle fusion using small incisions and a camera-guided system (arthroscopy) to reduce:

• Tissue damage

• Infection risk

• Recovery time

• Scarring

Benefits of Ankle Fusion

• Eliminates pain from worn-out cartilage

• Improves stability and alignment

• Helps patients return to walking comfortably

• Durable long-term solution for end-stage arthritis