HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – We've all heard about knee and hip replacements, but many are unaware of a surgical procedure that can help another key joint.
When orthopedic aids are unable to provide relief, Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Steinlauf said total ankle replacement can be an option.
Steinlauf said that along with improvements in technique, the newer Infinity total ankle system has provided vast improvements in technology.
"When you look at the data, ankle replacements are lasting longer," Steinlauf said. "They're not perfect like a hip. They have their downside, but if you can give a person better function, and when you compare ankle fusion to ankle replacement head-to-head, that's the difference.
"Pain relief they're the same, but functionally walking, which people do every day, may be a little easier with ankle replacement, so that's why you can see that we are having more success, (and) that's why we've advanced them."
With the Infinity ankle replacement system, Bella Berger is finally able to walk without pain.
"I feel 98 percent, 99 percent good," she said.