Dealing with the Stiff Ankle: Preoperative and Late Occurrence

Abstract

In patients with a stiff ankle replacement, appropriate resection of scarred capsular structures, hypertrophic bone debridement, and careful release of tendons should be performed to achieve good outcomes. Appropriately sized and correctly implanted components are required to restore ankle function to as normal as possible. Although not proven, the better a total ankle replacement is balanced, the less likely scar and heterotopic bone formation will occur. In patients with a stiff and painful ankle replacement, a preoperative diagnostic workup is mandatory to understand the underlying pathologic process and plan appropriate treatment. All underlying causes should be addressed.

Keywords: Ankle osteoarthritis; Ossifications; Revision procedures; Soft tissue impingement; Stiffness; Total ankle replacement.