Diagnostic Workup of the Osteoarthritic Ankle

Addressing the osteoarthritic ankle is highly complex and is mainly associated with deformity, instability, and bad soft tissues. Treating with total ankle arthroplasty requires a broad skill set and even more expansive experience with complicated reconstructions and arthroplasty. Careful clinical examination and thorough radiographic assessment are mandatory to anticipate potential problems and complications during the replacement surgery. Understanding the patient’s expectations is probably the most crucial step in the decision-making process for total ankle arthroplasty. Counseling patients appropriately on expectations after total ankle arthroplasty is paramount to avoid dissatisfaction.