Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system -- the body's muscles, skeleton and related tissues, including the spine, joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis is defined as swelling of any joint (where two bones meet) in the human body. People develop ankle arthritis when they have worn out or injured the joint between the shin bone (tibia) and lower ankle bone (talus). Because ankle injuries are common, people may experience ankle arthritis later in life as the ankle degenerates over a period of years after a serious injury. This form of ankle degeneration is known as osteoarthritis.

 

Common symptoms of ankle arthritis include pain or swelling around the joint, ankle stiffness, deformity of the joint, and instability in your ankle area, i.e. you come to feel your ankle may “give out” at any time. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Leland, call 303-440-7941.

 

Treatment Options

At Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics, our approach is to initially explore simple behavioral changes, such as footwear adjustments, activity modifications and weight loss (if applicable). Ankle bracing and physical therapy can also be effective treatments for mild forms of arthritis. We may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections, depending on your symptoms and the extent of your arthritis.

 

If these simpler options cannot ease your ankle pain, surgery may be your best alternative for getting relief. Mapleton Hill offers a comprehensive range of surgical options, including:

 

• • Ankle Joint Debridement: If your arthritis is mild to moderate, our surgeon cleans out (debrides) the ankle joint by removing any scar tissue or loose bone fragments that are interfering with joint function. This can be performed arthroscopically or through a traditional “open” approach.
• • Ankle Fusion: Also called “arthrodesis,” our surgeon removes the worn out portion of your joint, then uses metal implants to close the joint and position the bones next to each other. Over time, the bone surfaces fuse and heal permanently in this position. While a fused joint loses flexibility, it can bear weight better, is more stable, and is no longer painful.
• • Ankle Replacement: Also referred to as “arthroplasty,” our surgeon replaces your ankle with artificial joint parts, called prosthetics. This approach can provide pain relief and better joint movement.

 

Our comprehensive approach is to focus first on determining the causes of your problem and then identify your best treatment option, whether surgical or non-surgical. We are dedicated to thorough education of our patients. Treatment decisions are not easy and we want to provide you with all the resources necessary to make the decision that is best for you.

 

Highly Specialized Team

Dr. Robert Leland is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of routine and complex disorders of the foot and ankle. He can treat orthopaedic trauma as well as general orthopaedic conditions. He has more than 14 years experience in treating ankle or foot arthritis. Dr. Leland is Boulder’s only fellowship trained foot and ankle specialist, having received advanced training at Baylor University and in Germany. For a complete biography of Dr. Leland, click here.

 

Office Locations and Appointment Scheduling

Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics (Broomfield)

Buffalo Ridge Medical Center

16677 Lowell Blvd.

Broomfield, CO 80023

 

Mapleton Hill Orthopaedics (Boulder)

975 North Street, Suite 201

Boulder, CO 80304

 

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leland, call 303-440-7941.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes ankle arthritis? There are several factors that can lead to ankle arthritis. The most common cause is a previous serious injury, such as a fracture or a bad sprain, or a series of lesser injuries to the ankle. You can also develop ankle arthritis due to a general arthritic condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, or due to other diseases such as diabetes or hemophilia. Additional causes include prior infection of a joint that damaged cartilage cells, genetics, and excessive body weight (people who are overweight place a greater burden on their hips, knees, ankles and feet.)

 

How do I know if I have ankle arthritis? Your orthopaedic physician will conduct a thorough physical examination of your ankle joint to evaluate the type and extent of damage. In this examination, the physician will measure the range of motion of your ankle, and may draw fluid from the joint to determine if an infection is present. X-rays will then be taken to help assess the amount of damage to the joint and determine the proper diagnosis. Other tests, such as a bone scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to evaluate your condition.