Tampa General Hospital and Florida Orthopaedic Institute are First in Florida to Perform Total Ankle Replacement with new FDA-Approved Implant

TGH is the fifth hospital in the nation to utilize the advanced implant technology, called InCompass.

Tampa, FL (January 6, 2026) – Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and the Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI), successfully performed the first implantation in the state of InCompass, the newly FDA-cleared device for total ankle replacement. The InCompass Total Ankle System by Stryker marks a major milestone in orthopaedic innovation and TGH is just the fifth hospital in the nation to utilize this advanced implant technology.

InCompass is designed to make ankle replacement surgery smoother and more efficient, leading to better results for patients. It’s specially designed to fit the unique shape of the ankle, giving new hope to people with severe ankle arthritis who are looking for relief and improved movement.

“As a recognized leader in orthopaedics across the region, we continue to set the standards of care by combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology,” said Dr. Roy Sanders, Chief, TGH Orthopaedic Institute and Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor & Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, President & Chief Medical Officer Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “This is just one of the many ways we’re advancing care and driving innovation to improve patient outcomes.”

“The InCompass system helps us perform total ankle replacements with greater precision and efficiency, which means our patients can look forward to smoother recoveries and better mobility over time,” said Dr. Evan Loewy, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Associate Director for the USF Residency Program, who performed the first procedure at TGH with the InCompass system. “We're proud to be the first in Florida to bring this technology to our patients and it reflects our ongoing commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation and delivering top-notch care.”

FOI is also designated as one of only 13 Centers of Excellence for Total Ankle Replacement nationwide, and the only one in Florida. FOI physicians are partners with the medical team at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and TGH’s Orthopaedic Institute, which consistently ranks among the top 10% in the nation for orthopaedic care. FOI surgeons train residents at TGH, strengthening the quality of care and supporting the next generation of orthopaedic specialists.

“This achievement underscores the power of academic medicine and strong collaboration between TGH, FOI and USF Health,” said Tom Cairo, vice president of TGH Neuroscience and Orthopaedic Institutes. “We all share a commitment to advancing orthopaedic care through innovation and, together, we’re shaping the future of orthopaedic care in our region and beyond.”