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New Replacement Ankle for Arthritis Patients

A new replacement part is getting arthritis patients back on their feet. When you think of total joint replacement, you probably think of hips and knees. Now, add another joint to that list - the ankle.

Mary Ann Rossman is aching to "cut a rug."

"Next April's our 50th wedding anniversary and I wanna' polka," said Rossman.

The 68-year-old developed osteoarthritis after an ankle injury. So dancing's out, even though she had the joint fused, the pain is still sharp.

"Every step you take makes it feel like there's a knife going through it," said Rossman.

Now she's having surgery to replace her worn out ankle with a shiny new one made of metal and plastic. It's a big improvement over designs that confined the joint to an up and down movement.

"That's why they failed. Because there is rotation of the ankle and there's side to side movement as well," said Dr. Mark Myerson.

Her doctor is Mark Myerson of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, one of the first sites to use the new ankle.

"Fortunately, things have improved dramatically. We've paid very careful attention to the design of the prosthesis," said Dr. Myerson.

Unlike previous ankle prostheses that required bone cement, the new part is coated with tiny beads.

"The bone actually grows in between those tiny microscopic beads and there's a bond between the prosthesis and the bone," said Dr. Myerson.

The improvement in agility can be seen during surgery. With her fused ankle, Mary Ann had limited movement. This is the range of motion she has with the new ankle replacement.

A good sign she'll be able to polka next year.

Dr, Myerson says patients can't put weight on the new ankle for about six weeks, but eventually they can resume normal activities with a few restrictions.

The new ankle replacement is designed to last about 15 years.

For more information, go to Agilityankle.com

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