Custom 3D-printed ankle replacement represents a breakthrough for patients with severe ankle arthritis who are not candidates for standard total ankle replacement. Using CT scans and advanced 3D modeling, engineers create a patient-specific titanium ankle implant that perfectly matches the patient's anatomy, accounting for bone defects, deformity, and prior surgical hardware. Alaska's foot and ankle surgeons can now offer this technology, providing an alternative to ankle fusion that preserves natural ankle motion.
Recovery involves protected weight-bearing for 6-8 weeks followed by progressive rehabilitation.