If your ankle issues give you problems in daily activities, then the doctor may use ankle arthroscopy to find the cause of your ankle pain, which is responsible for your symptoms, and treat it accordingly. This procedure is used to treat many ankle disorders and also helps to find the underlying cause of your problem. Learn everything you need to know about ankle arthroscopy in this article. Get a consultation with the best Podiatrists in Brooklyn.
Ankle arthroscopy: everything you need to know
These FAQs help you to know everything about ankle arthroscopy.
- What is ankle arthroscopy, and when is it indicated?
Ans. Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that checks or treats problems inside an ankle joint. Arthroscopy comes from two Greek words: “arthro” means joint, and “skopein” means to look. It means to look within the joint. In this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon makes a small incision on the patient’s skin to see what’s going on inside the ankle with the help of an arthroscope, which is a miniature camera with a light that shows images on the video monitor. This helps your surgeon check your cartilage, ligaments, and under the kneecap and determine what type of injury you have and what repair or correction you need to treat your joint.
Ankle arthroscopy may be recommended to manage these ankle disorders:
- Ankle arthritis: It can help lower pain and improve movement caused by arthritis.
- Cartilage injuries: It is used to diagnose and repair cartilage and bone injuries.
- Undiagnosed ankle pain: This surgery allows the surgeon to find the cause of your ankle pain.
- Ligament tears: A ligament connects bones with the help of many tissues. These ligaments help to keep your ankle stable and allow it to move. If the ligament is damaged, it can be repaired or cleaned up with the help of this surgery.
- Ankle impingement: If your ankle tissues are swollen or sore from overuse, it makes it hard to move the joint. This surgery helps to remove the tissue and allows you to move your joints easily.
- Scar tissue: This occurs after an ankle injury. This procedure can help remove this scar tissue.
- Loose fragments: These are pieces of bone or cartilage that break inside the ankle and cause joint lock-up. This procedure can help you remove these fragments.
Other than that, this procedure also helps to treat unstable ankles, ankle fractures, osteochondral defects of the talus, or infection of the joint.
- How to prepare for ankle arthroscopy?
Ans. Before the procedure, your surgeon will guide you on how to prepare for the procedure and you can ask any questions you have in mind. Your surgeon will ask you what medications you’re taking, including prescribed or over-the-counter ones, supplements, or herbs, because they can interfere with the procedure. During the 2 weeks before the procedure, your surgeon may recommend:
- You to stop taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other medications.
- Stopping some other medications until the surgery.
- You to talk with your other healthcare provider who treats any medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or other medical conditions that you may have.
- Limiting or stopping your alcohol intake.
- You stop smoking until the procedure because it reduces wound and bone healing.
- You should tell your surgeon if you develop a cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illness before the surgery because it can interfere with the procedure, and it may need to be postponed.
- You avoid eating or drinking anything other than water up to 12 hours before surgery.
- What to expect during the ankle arthroscopy procedure?
Ans. During the procedure, your doctor asks you to change into a hospital gown. You need to lie down on the examination table and have your feet strapped to the footrest on the table. Mostly, your surgeon may give you a general anesthetic to make you sleep or give a spinal or regional anesthetic that just numbs the leg. After that, the surgeon makes small surgical cuts on the front or back of the ankle joint to insert instruments into the ankle. Now, the arthroscope is inserted, which magnifies and transmits images to a monitor to see inside the ankle joint. Additionally, the surgeon also uses small specific instruments to treat the problem. After the ankle is cleaned out, the wounds are closed with stitches, and a bandage is applied. After the procedure, you shift into a recovery room where your vitals are monitored. You can go home once your vital signs are stable.
- Are there any risks involved after ankle arthroscopy?
Ans. Usually, arthroscopy is a safe procedure, but some risks are involved with anesthetic or surgical procedures. It includes:
- Numbness, commonly on the top of the foot or the outer toes. It gets better with time, but sometimes, it can persist.
- Infection (occurs rarely and is treated with antibiotics). Sometimes, patients develop a deeper infection that needs another operation.
- Some people may experience ongoing pain and stiffness after the procedure. Some people’s ankles can be swollen after surgery.
- Blood clots are rare but can occur. Your surgeon can lower the risk by taking some precautions but cannot avoid it completely.
- Chronic regional pain syndrome can make your ankle painful, swollen, and sensitive. If you develop this, you may need to see a pain consultant.
- Other risks like joint damage, sensitive scars, neuroma, nerve, and vessel injury happen very rarely.
- What to expect after the procedure?
Ans. After the procedure, you can go home. At home, you need to follow special instructions to ensure a safe recovery without complications. It may include:
- Keeping your ankle elevated above the heart level as much as you can for 2 to 3 days can help lower swelling and pain. You can also use cold therapy to lower swelling.
- Keeping your bandage clean and dry, and to make sure you follow the proper dressing changing instructions.
- Taking pain relievers if needed, as long as you take the ones that the doctor prescribes or says are safe to take.
- You need to use a walker or crutches to take the weight off the foot unless your doctor says otherwise.
- You may need to wear a splint or boot for a few weeks or longer to keep the ankle stable as it heals.
Most people recover in some months, however, the time to heal fully can vary depending on the reason for surgery and how quickly you regain stability, strength, and range of motion. You may need physical therapy after the procedure to do simple home stretches and exercises. This helps you improve your ankle strength and mobility so that you can return to your usual activities soon.
- Why is arthroscopy better than open surgery?
Ans. Arthroscopy offers many benefits over open surgery, which makes it the first choice of surgical treatment. It offers:
- Smaller incisions
- Less pain
- Minimal soft tissue trauma
- Faster healing time
- Lower infection rate
- Less scarring
- Earlier mobilization
- Shorter hospital stays
- When should you call your doctor after an ankle arthroscopy?
Ans. You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Intense pain or bleeding,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Signs of an infection, like fever, discoloration of the skin, etc.
Ankle arthroscopy is a good option for diagnosing and treating ankle joint disorders. It can treat many different ankle issues with less invasiveness, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays than other surgeries. Make sure you consult with your doctor to understand the benefits and risks of ankle arthroscopy before considering this procedure to get optimal results for your condition.
Need help with ankle issues? Visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!! Doral Health & Wellness employs Podiatrists with extensive education and expertise. Trauma to the tendons, muscles, and bones of the foot is quite common. It’s not a good idea to put off seeing Foot Doctor Brooklyn until you are in a lot of pain. Our address is 1797 Pitkin Avenue, New York, NY 11212. To make an appointment, please call +1-718-367-2555 or send an email toinfo@doralhw.org.
