Ankle arthritis can make everyday movements like walking and climbing painful. For patients who don’t respond to medications, surgery has long been an option, but traditional replacement methods often come with mixed results.

“In the 90s, a few designs came out that were quite good, better than what we had had before, but still having failures by 8 to 10 years,” said Dr. Mark Schon, who developed a new approach to ankle surgery.

Instead of entering through the front of the ankle, Dr. Schon’s patented technique allows surgeons to go in from the side, preserving more bone. The procedure also uses a specialized metal designed to improve bonding.

Schon installed the first Zimmer Biomet Trabecular Metal Total Ankle Replacement 13 years ago. That patient still has his implant, and recent data

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