Ankle surgery

There are many reasons why an ankle or foot might hurt. You may have a condition such as arthritis or bunions (a bony lump that forms on the side of the foot), or you might have sustained an injury. You may be experiencing pain due to overuse, wear and tear, or simply because you're wearing shoes that don't fit you correctly. Your feet and ankles play a prominent role in your support, balance and mobility. When your feet and ankles are working properly, you should be able to bend and twist your feet, flexing them in a full range of motion. They play a vital role when walking and running. As a result, when something goes wrong with them it can have a significant impact on your daily life.

The foot and ankle comprises of thirty-three individual joints and more than one hundred muscles and tendons. As a result, there are a huge range of conditions that may impair the functionality of your feet and ankles. You may experience pain in the ankle due to arthritis or pain in the heel due to a sporting injury. We are proud to facilitate hundreds of foot and ankle specialists who can help improve your mobility and reduce your pain through a variety of treatment options. This might be through surgery or more passive methods, such as physiotherapy.

Some of the most common conditions we see in our ankle clinics include:

Ankle arthritis

Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints. It can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. There are various types of arthritis and most of these can affect your ankle, including osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear over time. Non-surgical treatments for arthritis in the foot and ankle range from physiotherapy to steroid injections. More advanced arthritis may lead to the need for surgery, which might include ankle arthroscopy or ankle replacement.

Achilles tendonitis

This is caused when the Achilles tendon, which is at the back of the ankle, becomes inflamed or irritated. Common symptoms of Achilles tendonitis are pain and swelling around the affected ankle. Achilles tendonitis can often be treated through physiotherapy, but surgery is necessary in some cases.

Ankle injuries

Common injuries to your ankle include lateral ankle ligament injuries, fractures and sprains.

Ankle bursitis

Fluid-filled sacs called bursa, which usually cushion our joints, can become painful and swollen. This can be treated with a minor procedure such as steroid injections.

Ankle instability

Chronic ankle instability is a condition where your ankle repeatedly 'gives way' on the outside of your ankle joint. It usually occurs when walking or running but may also happen while standing. It often happens as a result of previous ankle sprains that haven't healed properly.

Some of the most common types of ankle surgery we perform include:

Arthroscopic ankle surgery

Ankle arthroscopy, also known as keyhole surgery, is often carried out to diagnose and treat ankle pain. During this procedure, a small incision will be made to allow your surgeon to insert a tiny camera, called an arthroscope, into your ankle to diagnose the source of your pain. In many cases, the cause of your pain can be treated during the same operation.

Ankle replacement surgery

A total ankle replacement, which is also called an ankle arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace the damaged articular surfaces of the ankle joint with prosthetic components.

Ankle fusion

This involves fastening together damaged bones in your ankle in a way that encourages them to fuse together. This restricts movement, which can be very effective at relieving pain, but it also decreases mobility in the joint.

Lower limb reconstruction surgery

Lower limb reconstruction surgery is an umbrella term for any surgery that repairs a part or parts of your leg that have been badly damaged. It is often used to treat problems associated with trauma, nonhealing wounds, infection, malignancy (cancerous tumours), degenerative diseases, or congenital deformities (deformities present from birth). It can involve realigning joints, lengthening your limbs using external fixators, or taking muscle flaps (small pieces of your muscle) from elsewhere in your body to rebuild the area that is damaged.

The first step to access private surgery with us is usually to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. They will be able to assess and diagnose your condition and talk you through the available treatment options, and together you’ll decide on the best route for you.

To book your initial consultation, call our dedicated team of advisors, or take advantage of our easy online booking system.

You can access ankle surgery with us using private medical insurance or by paying for your own treatment.

Often ankle surgery procedures will be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy.

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years.

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your surgery. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests won't be included, but the cost of any procedures and hospital fees are, and so is your aftercare programme. There are no hidden costs down the line.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standards and delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about the treatments our orthopaedic surgeons can offer, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in June 2023. Next review due June 2026.

1. Ankle surgery, Mayo Clinic
2. Foot and ankle surgery, Versus Arthritis
3. Ankle problems, NHS
4. Ankle pain, Cleveland Clinic