ANKLE AMPUTATION FOR ARTHRITIS?

Have you ever heard of someone having their foot amputated because of arthritis? My grandmother just went through this, and it seems confusing to me.

In some severe cases of arthritis, the joint becomes so damaged that it needs to be fused to prevent any further movement. During this procedure, the surgeon places bone grafts, either from a donor or the patient’s own pelvic bone, in and around the joint. Over time, new bone cells form, creating a solid fusion.

However, in up to 15% of cases, ankle fusion can lead to amputation. The reasons vary from patient to patient. Sometimes the fusion doesn’t work, a condition known as nonunion, where the bones fail to heal together. In other instances, an infection may eat away at the bone, posing the risk of gangrene, and in such cases, amputation may be the only way to save the leg.

Surprisingly, many patients opt for amputation after enduring years of intense pain from arthritis. With the help of a prosthetic limb, they are often able to walk again without pain. Many report that the improved quality of life makes the loss of the foot worthwhile.

Reference: Nelson F. SooHoo, MD, and Gerald Kominski, PhD. “Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Total Ankle Arthroplasty.” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, November 2004, Vol. 86-A, No. 11, pp. 2446-2455.