Artificial ankle joints have improved tremendously over the past 20 years, but they can still be damaged by high-impact activities such as running and jumping. That’s why they’re better suited for healthy people over the age of 60 who have less active lifestyles.
During ankle replacement surgery, the ends of the damaged bones are removed and a replacement joint made of plastic and metal is fitted onto the bones. The artificial joint helps the ankle retain more-natural movement, so there is less risk of arthritis developing in nearby joints.
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You may not be a good candidate for ankle replacement if you:
