Ankle Arthroscopy

What is an Ankle Arthroscopy?

An Ankle Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedure used to investigate, diagnose and treat an ankle disorder that fails to respond to physiotherapy, medication or other non-surgical treatments.

An Ankle Arthroscopy procedure provides a surgeon with a quick, easy and clear view of the inside of the ankle through a pencil slim, high-resolution camera known as an Arthroscope.

There are two types of Ankle Arthroscopy:

i. Diagnostic Arthroscopy (investigation to find out what is wrong with an ankle joint)

ii. Therapeutic Arthroscopy (correction of an injury or fault within the ankle joint). It is most common for these procedures to be provided at the same time.

Why is an Ankle Arthroscopy performed?

Ankle Arthroscopy is usually performed in order to investigate and relieve persistent ankle pain, swelling, clicking, catching, instability or 'giving way' of the joint.

This is a more common orthopaedic procedures provided in the UK today than it has ever been because the ankle joint is so easily injured through sport, work, arthritis or 'wear and tear'. The majority of Ankle Arthroscopies tend to be performed on patients between the age of 20 and 60 years old.  

How is an Ankle Arthroscopy carried out?

An Ankle Arthroscopy can be performed under General Anaesthetic (you will be asleep), Regional or Local Anaesthetic (you will be awake). The procedure usually takes only a short amount of time to perform if the injury to the ankle is of a minor nature (approximately 30 minutes), although repair of more complex injuries can take much longer. Most Arthroscopy procedures are provided on a Day-Case or one night stay basis.

During the procedure patients are positioned on their back on the operating table and a traction devise is applied to the effected joint to stretch the joint open. Two small incisions just a few millimetres in length are then made either side of the problematic joint. These two incisions (cuts) allow a narrow tube with a camera within it to be inserted into one and a slim tube that will regularly inject fluid and rinse the inside of the ankle out into the other. The injected fluid will allow the surgeon to get a good view of the problem area via the camera lens as he moves it around the inside of the ankle joint.

Once the problem is properly identified, another small incision can then be made elsewhere on the ankles surface (sometimes two incisions are made) in order to insert exceptionally fine instruments into the problematic joint space. With the aid of clear vision via the camera, the surgeon can then guide his instruments and gently correct the injury or problem without any need to fully open up the ankle. Common corrective procedures performed during an Arthroscopy are:

• Drainage of inflamed joint fluid
• Removal of torn or loose fragments of cartilage
• Removal of loose fragments of bone
• Reconstruction or repair of a torn cartilage or ligament 

At the end of the procedure the small wounds on the knee are usually closed with a simple sticky dressing and absorbable stitches.

What is the recovery like?

Once a patient is fully recovered from the effects of anaesthetic they are normally quickly encouraged to be as active and mobile as possible to avoid complications such as joint stiffness and Deep Vein Thrombosis from developing. It is therefore normal for patients to be encouraged to undertake ankle physiotherapy exercises and walk up and down stairs and cover a gentle distance just a few hours after surgery.

Following a progressive improvement of mobility and pain control, patients are normally discharged home the day of or day after surgery. By the time the required level of recovery is achieved for discharge, patients are normally wearing only a simple wound dressing and bandage over their ankle, eating and drinking normally, walking unaided and taking only mild analgesia (pain killers) to control any pain.

Over the next 6 weeks patients will be expected to work on improving their own mobility and range of joint movement through dedicated and progressive physiotherapy and by increasing their daily activity and walking distances. Your Consultant Surgeon will then assess your condition and joints range of movement after 1 week and then again after three months to evaluate how successful the Arthroscopy has been.

Patients who are in employment should not resume work until after their first consultation and dependant on the physical nature of their job may be advised to take longer off work. Patients should expect a continuous and full physical recovery to take up to 6 months to achieve.

Are there any risks associated with Ankle Arthroscopy surgery?

Although Ankle Arthroscopy surgery is regularly performed without any complications, it is very important that all candidates are fully aware of both the benefits and risks of undertaking specialist surgery such as this. All surgery, no mater how expertly or carefully it is performed, carries risks and the importance of a full evaluation and consultation with an expert in Ankle Arthroscopy Surgery in relation to these risks cannot be over emphasised.

How do I find out if I am a suitable candidate for Ankle Arthroscopy?

Surgical Advisor will be delighted to help you find a leading expert surgeon in Ankle Arthroscopy surgery to consult with. Your surgeon will carry out a thorough evaluation of your condition and provide you with a comprehensive explanation of the most appropriate surgical solution.
 
Our Expert Consultant Surgeons are most carefully selected and recommended because they understand the importance of the decision you are making when contemplating surgery and because of their lower limb expertise. Throughout your consultation you will therefore be encouraged to ask as many questions as you wish and to take your time in making a decision to proceed with any recommended treatment.

To ensure that all patients are comfortable with any recommendations or advice given in their consultation, all patients are asked to go away after a consultation and think through all the information they have received. If for whatever reason you are still not sure about the best course of action and wish to have further dialogue with your surgeon, you will not be expected to pay for a second consultation appointment.

How do I make a consultation appointment?

For further advice on how to make an appointment to consult with an expert surgeon in Ankle Arthroscopy surgery: 

Please call Surgical Advisor on: 0870 41 41 41 2
Or email us by clicking on: advice@surgicaladvisor.com