Foot & Ankle Replacement
Why Choose MUSC Health for Foot Joint Replacement & Reconstruction Care?
Foot arthritis can be quietly debilitating — affecting every step, limiting your ability to stay active, and making daily life more difficult than it should be. At MUSC Health, our orthopaedic foot and ankle team offers surgical and non-surgical treatment for a range of foot conditions, including joint replacement and reconstruction for patients with arthritis of the great toe or midfoot.
Our team specializes in procedures that are less commonly performed across the region, including first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthroplasty for hallux rigidus and complex midfoot reconstruction for Lisfranc joint injuries and arthritis. When conservative treatment has run its course, we work with you to evaluate whether joint replacement, fusion, or a combination approach is the right surgical path.
The leading foot & ankle surgical team in the region.
As one of the highest TAR volume centers in the Southeast and the highest volume center in the state, MUSC Health offers experience and expertise in the field, along with a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and physical therapists with extensive replacement experience.
MUSC Health orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons at University Hospital in Charleston, Christopher E. Gross, M.D. and Daniel J. Scott, M.D., MBA, work together to perform total ankle replacement surgery. The orthopedic surgeons’ teamwork results in better patient outcomes, allowing quicker, more accurate surgeries.
Innovative care led by Dr. Gross and Dr. Scott
As a team, Dr. Gross and Dr. Scott concentrate on the complex reconstruction of the ankle. Dr. Gross is the director of the MUSC Health Foot and Ankle Division and a professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Scott is an associate professor of Orthopaedics and Physical Medicine. Together, Dr. Gross and Dr. Scott have developed a multidisciplinary research division that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and improves implant design and long-term patient outcomes.
Overcoming a Rare Injury
After a car accident that resulted in many complications years later, Teresa hiked the French Alps two years after ankle replacement surgery at MUSC Health.
Frequently Asked Question About Foot Joint Replacement & Reconstruction
Hallux rigidus is arthritis of the first MTP joint — the joint at the base of the big toe. It causes pain, stiffness, and progressive loss of motion. It is the most common arthritic condition in the foot. When conservative treatment is no longer effective, surgical options include joint replacement (arthroplasty) or joint fusion (arthrodesis).
First MTP joint replacement, also called great toe arthroplasty, replaces the damaged joint surfaces at the base of the big toe with artificial implants. The goal is to relieve pain from advanced hallux rigidus while preserving some degree of toe motion.
Both procedures effectively relieve hallux rigidus pain. Joint replacement preserves some motion; fusion reliably relieves pain by eliminating joint movement and is considered the gold standard for severe cases by many surgeons. The best choice depends on the patient's age, anatomy, activity goals, and degree of joint damage.
Midfoot arthritis refers to arthritic changes in the Lisfranc joint complex — the network of bones and ligaments connecting the forefoot to the hindfoot. It can develop after a Lisfranc injury, from repetitive stress, or from inflammatory conditions. Symptoms include arch pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Foot arthritis can result from osteoarthritis (wear and tear), post-traumatic arthritis after a fracture or ligament injury, or inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. The great toe joint and midfoot joints are particularly susceptible.
Recovery depends on the specific procedure. After great toe joint replacement or fusion, patients typically wear a surgical shoe or boot for several weeks, then begin physical therapy. Most return to normal activity within 3 to 6 months.
Yes. Physical therapy is an important part of recovery. A therapist will guide exercises to restore strength, balance, and normal walking mechanics. Therapy typically begins once healing is sufficient — usually several weeks after surgery.
Candidacy depends on which joints are affected, the degree of damage on imaging, your age, activity level, and overall health. Your orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether replacement, fusion, or another approach is most appropriate.
Call 843-876-0111, schedule through MyChart at mychart.muschealth.com, or ask your primary care provider for a referral to our orthopaedic foot and ankle team.
Ankle Tune-Up
Tag teaming total ankle replacements leads to improved outcomes for patients at MUSC Health.
