What is ankle arthrodesis?
If you have severe arthritis in your ankle, an ankle arthrodesis should reduce your pain and allow you to do more of your normal activities.
Your surgeon will remove the damaged joint surfaces. They will then fix the bones together with a metal plate, a metal rod, or screws.
The operation usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half. A variety of anaesthetic techniques is possible. You should be able to go home after one to three days.
How soon will I recover?
To start with, you should spend most of the time with your leg raised on a chair or footstool. Most people need to have the plaster cast for about twelve weeks. You will need to use crutches or sticks until it is removed.
Once the plaster cast is removed, regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Shorter hospital waiting lists
As a private patient at The Horder Centre you can get faster access to the very best orthopaedic consultants.
Are there any alternatives to Ankle Arthrodesis?
- Simple painkillers such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen can help control the pain of arthritis.
Supplements to your diet may also help relieve your symptoms. You should check with your doctor before you take supplements. - Using a walking stick can make walking easier.
- A plastic splint or a stiff ankle boot with a cushioned heel is sometimes helpful.
- A steroid injection into your ankle joint can sometimes reduce pain and stiffness.
- Physiotherapy may help to strengthen weak muscles.
- A keyhole operation (arthroscopy) to clean out the ankle joint can give some relief for six to twelve months.
All these measures become less effective if your arthritis gets worse and some people with ankle arthritis may have an ankle replacement.
Information leaflet
This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.
© EIDO Systems International
The operation and treatment information on this webpage is produced using information from EIDO Systems International and is licensed by Horder Healthcare. The information should not replace the advice that your relevant health professional would give you.
Consultants that perform this procedure
Guide price for self-pay patients
Ankle Fusion (Ankle arthrodesis with autogenous graft)
| Estimated Cost * | |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | from £220 |
| Diagnostics (if applicable) | from £85 |
| Treatment | from £8,325* |
Estimated total cost from £8,630
* The guide price is effective from 1 January 2026
The guide price is based on the usual clinical needs of patients. The price you pay might be different depending on your medical history and the type of implant you choose or your Consultant advises is best for you. Not all Consultants are signed up to Horder Healthcare’s treatment price, please check prior to your appointment.
Your price quotation will be made clear to you before you proceed with any tests, consultations, or treatment.
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The Horder Centre Price Promise
Our prices will always be totally transparent and when you are quoted an all-inclusive procedure price for your operation it will be inclusive of all costs – with no hidden surprises.
If you find an alternative private hospital in your local area offering a better price for the same procedure, sold with the same service conditions, we’ll lower our price* to equal it.
* Price Promise terms & conditions:
(1) Initial consultation(s), diagnostic scans/tests and investigations required to establish a diagnosis are not part of your procedure price.
(2) Our price promise does not include Private Patient Units at NHS hospitals.
(3) Local area defined as within 30 miles of The Horder Centre hospital.
(4) We will match against personalised, written quotes only.
(5) Quotations must be less than 90 days old.
(6) Patients must meet the clinical criteria for admission to the Horder Centre.
T&C's last updated: 8 January 2026
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