Ankle Arthroscopy
What is arthroscopic ankle surgery?
Ankle arthroscopy is a surgery used to treat issues inside of your ankle joint. Ankles often bear the brunt of wear and tear due to their crucial role in supporting our body weight and facilitating movement. Fortunately, medical advancements have paved the way for innovative procedures like arthroscopic ankle surgery, offering patients a minimally invasive solution for various ankle problems.
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What to Expect with Arthroscopic Ankle Surgery
Arthroscopic ankle surgery is a very common advanced technique that involves using a specialized instrument called an arthroscope to diagnose and treat a range of ankle conditions.
What to expect:
- You will receive anesthesia to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during the surgery
- The doctor will insert a special tool called an arthroscope into your ankle to identify and repair damage
- The arthroscope includes a camera and a light that lets the doctor see what’s going on inside of your ankle
- The doctor will make a few small incisions (cuts) in your skin
- The doctor will also insert any other tools they need during the surgery through additional tiny cuts
Because the incisions required to perform an ankle arthroscopy are much smaller than other forms of surgery — less than half an inch across in most cases — it’s less stressful on your body than other procedures. This helps improve recovery. Most surgeries last about an hour, but may vary based on your needs.
When is arthroscopic ankle surgery used?
This minimally invasive type of surgery is widely used for a number of conditions including:
- Anyone with ankle pain that hasn’t responded to treatments
- Ankle joint issues
- Ankle sprains
- Ligament tears
- Damaged cartilage and underlying bone
- Removing bone growths
- Removing inflamed tissue
This surgery can help alleviate pain and help improve ankle joint function. It is recommended usually after physical therapy or steroid injections, or if surgery is a clear solution for the issue at hand.
What are the benefits of arthroscopic ankle surgery?
Arthroscopic ankle surgery has a number of benefits including:
- The surgery can treat a wide variety of ankle issues
- Improved visualization during surgery
- A fast recovery time — often as little as a few weeks
- Less pain than open surgery
- Minimal blood loss
- Minor scarring
- Dramatically decreased risk for complications compared to more invasive types of surgery
What happens after arthroscopic ankle surgery?
Following arthroscopic ankle surgery, your doctor may recommend a tailored rehabilitation program.
This may include physical therapy to help restore strength, flexibility, and stability to the ankle joint. The specific plan will depend on the nature of the condition and the extent of the surgery.
Schedule Your Ankle Arthroscopy Consultation
If you are experiencing ankle pain or have been told you may need ankle surgery, contact Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance today at 414-384-6700. Our orthopedic team in Southeastern Wisconsin will evaluate your condition and determine if arthroscopic surgery is right for you.