Hello @marnie42, Welcome to Connect. There is an older discussion you may want to view to learn what other members have shared while we wait for other members who have had a total ankle replacement to respond to your question. -- Total Ankle Replacement: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/total-ankle-replacement/

Here are a few articles you may find helpful
-- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Considering ankle replacement surgery: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-considering-ankle-replacement-surgery/
-- Excerpt from article below: "Recent studies have shown as high as 90% of total ankle replacements are still intact at 5 years after surgery. This number drops to about 80% at 8 years after surgery. Longevity of the ankle replacement seems to be better in those patients who have less deformity of their ankle going into the surgery." - Total Ankle Replacements FAQs - Washington University Orthopedics: https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Education/2915/Patient-Education/Educational-Materials/Total-Ankle-Replacements-FAQs.aspx

Did your doctor or surgeon offer any advice or thoughts on fusion vs replacement?

I had a a subtalar joint fusion 25 years ago and that was replaced with an ankle replacement 12 years ago. My orthopedist performed the fusion so long ago because he and the docs at the University of Michigan did not feel artificial ankle replacement technology was good enough all those years ago. Eventually I was in so much pain and prosthetic ankle joint technology was much improved. Then my surgeon performed the ankle replacement.

I have no ankle pain. I have a surprisingly good range of motion in that ankle. I can walk 15,000 steps/day on my ankle. I do not run.

As pleased as I am with my ankle replacement you should know it is a big surgery with a much longer recovery time than a knee or hip replacement. You can bear no weight on the replacement ankle for weeks.

Also my surgeon required that the patient was compliant, had good bone to insert the prosthetic ankle into and that the patient was not overweight because noncompliance, poor bone quality and obesity could cause the ankle replacement to fail.

I would only go to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in ankle replacement. I would research that the surgeon is using a really good prosthesis.

I would also recommend using a knee caddy rather than crutches because you can not bear weight for a long time.