Increasing access to podiatric surgeons who perform total ankle replacements in rural populations

Total ankle replacement (TAR) is a complex surgical procedure that can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with debilitating ankle conditions, such as end-stage arthritis. However, access to surgeons skilled in performing TAR is limited in rural areas due to geographic isolation, economic barriers, and a shortage of specialized healthcare providers. This study aims to assess the distribution of TAR-trained foot and ankle surgeons and explore the challenges faced by rural populations in accessing this crucial care. By using the "Find a Surgeon" tool from Stryker's website, we identified 479 podiatric surgeons and 518 foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons across the U.S., noting that only 31 of these professionals practice in rural areas, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as towns with populations below 5,000. Key obstacles to accessing TAR in rural areas include long travel distances, economic disparities, limited healthcare coverage, and a lack of awareness about available treatment options. Despite the limitations, we hope to highlight the hurdles many patients have to overcome for access to surgeons who perform TARs.