Information on surgery for advanced ankle osteoarthritis
Marc Darrow, MD. JD. A recent study (1) discusses the problem orthopedists and surgeons have in presenting treatment options to their patients with advanced ankle osteoarthritis. As many doctors and patients are aware, ankle osteoarthritis treatment protocols have no real guideline recommendations of its own. Researchers say most doctors treat an ankle problem as they would treat a knee or hip and follow hip or knee treatment protocols when treating the ankle. Why is there concern with this approach? The concern is that these are the same guidelines of conservative care protocols that ultimately lead to patient pain management programs