CGH Medical Center performed its first total ankle replacement on Dec. 26, 2025, according to an April 14 announcement. The surgery was conducted by Marian Kavanaugh, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon at CGH Medical Center.
This development expands the hospital’s range of foot and ankle services and brings a specialized surgical option to patients in the Sauk Valley area who suffer from severe ankle arthritis. Patients now have access to advanced care locally without needing to travel for this type of procedure.
Kavanaugh said that while hip and knee replacements are common for wear-and-tear arthritis, ankle arthritis often results from previous injuries. “If you have had any sort of past trauma to your ankle, from ankle sprains to fractures, it can lead to debilitating post-traumatic arthritis,” Kavanaugh said. “Even a 1mm shift in the joint from an injury can change the contact of your ankle joint by 42%. Over time, that damage can lead to pain, instability, and limited mobility.”
Traditionally, patients with severe ankle arthritis underwent an ankle fusion procedure that relieved pain but restricted movement. Total ankle replacement is designed to preserve motion in the joint. The process involves removing damaged bone ends and inserting a new metal-and-plastic joint using patient-specific technology based on pre-surgery CT scans.
Recovery typically includes two weeks without bearing weight on the affected leg followed by early physical therapy; most patients return to regular shoes with an ankle brace after about two months. “The expectation after this type of surgery is that patients can return to low-impact activities such as golf or walking,” Kavanaugh said. “Whatever your activity level was before the pain set in–that’s our goal to get you back to that.”
Looking ahead, Kavanaugh plans further advances in treating ankle arthritis at CGH Medical Center and aims to expand specialized podiatry care for local residents. “It is really special for me to be here,” she said. “I am proud to offer exceptional, specialized care for podiatry patients here at CGH.”
