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This video from the Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group features foot and ankle surgeon Dr. Alex Simpson providing a behind-the-scenes look at a Total Ankle Arthroplasty (ankle replacement surgery). The procedure is performed to relieve pain and restore mobility by replacing damaged bone and cartilage with artificial implants.
Breakdown of the Surgical Procedure
- Patient-Specific Alignment Guides:
Dr. Simpson begins by using custom 3D-printed replicas of the patient's tibia. These guides snap onto the bone to eliminate guesswork and significantly reduce overall operating time by mapping out exact cutting zones.
- Sizing and Bone Cutting:
Sizing blocks ensure the correct fit before any cuts are made. Once verified, specialized cutting blocks act like a cookie cutter to precisely guide the surgical saw through the lower tibia and the upper talus.
- Removing Damaged Bone:
The stabilization pins are removed, and the surgeon carefully chisels out the segmented pieces of damaged bone to hollow out a precise pocket for the incoming implants.
- Fitting the Sizing Trials:
Dr. Simpson prepares peg holes in the tibia and temporarily inserts "trial pieces." These mock components verify that the joint alignment, space, and implant sizes are perfectly dialed in prior to opening the sterile, permanent replacements.
- Securing the Permanent Implants:
The joint space is completely cleaned and washed out. The real metal components are permanently placed into the tibia and talus, and a specialized medical plastic piece is locked in between them to act as the new articulating cartilage layer.
By the end of the procedure, Dr. Simpson demonstrates the smooth mechanical movement of the newly constructed joint, successfully restoring the natural up-and-down mobility of the ankle.