Advanced Ankle Arthritis Treatment & Reconstruction Specialist

Patients commonly experience:

• Chronic ankle pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Difficulty walking
• Pain with standing
• Loss of range of motion
• Instability
• Limping
• Difficulty exercising
• Pain when navigating stairs

Symptoms often worsen progressively if left untreated.

Accurate diagnosis is critical to determining the most effective treatment plan.

Evaluation may include:

• Digital X-rays
• Weight-bearing radiographs
• Advanced imaging
• CT scans
• MRI studies
• Gait analysis
• Review of previous surgeries
• Assessment of overall foot and ankle alignment

Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on arthritis severity, activity level, age, and personal goals.

Many patients can initially manage symptoms without surgery.

Conservative treatment options include:

• Activity modification
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Bracing
• Physical therapy
• Custom orthotics 
• Corticosteroid injections
• Image-guided injections
• Weight management
• Supportive footwear

When these treatments fail to provide lasting relief, surgical intervention may be appropriate.

Advances in foot and ankle surgery now allow many procedures to be performed using minimally invasive techniques.

Potential benefits include:

• Smaller incisions
• Reduced soft tissue disruption
• Less postoperative pain
• Faster recovery
• Lower risk of wound complications
• Improved cosmetic outcomes

Treatment is tailored to the stage of arthritis and overall ankle function.

For select patients with early to moderate ankle arthritis, minimally invasive NanoScope arthroscopy may provide an innovative treatment option.

Using ultra-small instrumentation and advanced visualization technology, NanoScope procedures allow surgeons to evaluate and treat ankle pathology through extremely small portals.

Potential applications include:

• Removal of scar tissue
• Debridement of arthritic lesions
• Treatment of cartilage injuries
• Management of ankle impingement
• Synovectomy
• Loose body removal
• Evaluation of persistent ankle pain

Benefits may include:

• Minimal scarring
• Reduced postoperative discomfort
• Faster return to activity
• Earlier rehabilitation

As an early adopter of advanced minimally invasive ankle techniques, Dr. Goodner utilizes the latest arthroscopic technologies when clinically appropriate.

Not all patients with ankle arthritis require fusion or replacement.

Joint preservation options may include:

• Arthroscopic debridement
• NanoScope procedures
• Realignment osteotomies
• Ligament reconstruction
• Cartilage restoration procedures
• Biologic treatments
• Hardware removal following trauma

Preserving the native ankle joint whenever possible remains an important treatment goal.

For patients with advanced arthritis, ankle fusion remains one of the most reliable methods for eliminating pain.

During ankle arthrodesis, the damaged joint surfaces are removed and the bones are permanently fused together.

Benefits may include:

• Excellent pain relief
• Long-term durability
• High fusion rates
• Improved stability
• Reliable correction of deformity

Minimally invasive techniques may reduce soft tissue disruption while improving recovery in appropriate patients.

For selected patients with advanced ankle arthritis, total ankle replacement may preserve joint motion while providing significant pain relief.

Ankle replacement involves removing damaged cartilage and replacing the joint surfaces with advanced implant technology.

Potential benefits include:

• Preservation of ankle motion
• Improved gait mechanics
• Reduced stress on adjacent joints
• Significant pain reduction
• Improved quality of life

Patient selection is critical to achieving successful outcomes.

Many patients develop arthritis years after sustaining an ankle fracture or severe injury.

Common causes include:

• Pilon fractures
• Bimalleolar fractures
• Trimalleolar fractures
• Syndesmotic injuries
• Talar fractures
• Cartilage injuries

Even well-healed fractures can lead to progressive cartilage deterioration over time.

Specialized evaluation helps determine whether joint preservation, fusion, or replacement is most appropriate.

Previous injuries and surgeries do not always heal as expected.

Dr. Goodner specializes in evaluating and treating:

• Failed ankle fracture repairs
• Nonunions
• Malunions
• Persistent pain after surgery
• Hardware complications
• Post-traumatic deformity
• Failed ligament reconstructions
• Failed ankle arthroscopy
• Recurrent instability
• Complex revision cases

Revision surgery often requires advanced planning, specialized imaging, and comprehensive reconstructive expertise.

Patients frequently seek second opinions for:

• Recommended ankle fusion
• Recommended ankle replacement
• Persistent ankle pain
• Failed surgery
• Chronic swelling
• Recurrent instability
• Traumatic injuries
• Uncertain diagnoses

A comprehensive review can help patients better understand all available treatment options.

Successful treatment of ankle arthritis requires expertise in:

• Foot and ankle biomechanics
• Trauma reconstruction
• Joint preservation surgery
• Minimally invasive techniques
• Arthroscopic surgery
• Ankle replacement
• Ankle fusion
• Revision surgery

The goal is to relieve pain, restore function, and maximize long-term mobility.

If ankle pain, stiffness, swelling, or arthritis is limiting your lifestyle, advanced treatment options may help restore mobility and improve quality of life.

Dr. John Goodner specializes in minimally invasive ankle arthritis treatment, NanoScope arthroscopy, ankle fusion, ankle replacement, trauma reconstruction, and complex revision foot and ankle surgery.

Same-day and next-day appointments are available in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.