Ankle Arthroscopy

The doctors might recommend this when you have ankle pain. The doctor might have already diagnosed your condition or he might need the arthroscopy to diagnose, confirm the pain source and treat it.

The injuries that can be diagnosed and treated by arthroscopy are:

• Anterior Ankle Impingement or Athlete’s Ankle
• Arthrofibrosis: scar tissue that can cause pain and swelling
• Infection
• Removal of inflamed tissue or loose cartilage or bone spurs
• Osteochondral Defect (OCD)
• Synovitis
• Ankle Arthritis
• Ankle Fractures
• Ankle instability

Pre-Procedural activities

• Patient will be prepared for the surgery by taking blood tests, ECG or chest X-ray, for a safe surgery.
• Inform the doctor of the medications and supplements, you are presently taking. You might
• have to stop taking Ibuprofen or aspirin, before the procedure.
• Please refrain from eating and drinking 6-12 hours prior to procedure.
• A tourniquet is applied to the leg and the leg is thoroughly cleaned.

During procedure

• Patient will be given anaesthetic before the surgery, which might be:
  
  • Regional: spinal anaesthesia makes below the waist part numb
  • General: Puts patient to sleep
• The surgeon will begin by making incisions or cuts in the ankle and saline will be pumped into your ankle to expand it, helping to see better.
• The arthroscope is entered through this incision and the tiny camera is used to view and take images of the injured area.
• Once the problem in the ankle is located, small tools are inserted into the incisions to rectify this issue.
• Once the treatment is over, saline is drained out and the incisions are closed with stitches.

Post-Procedural Activities

• There might be some pain and swelling after the treatment
• The patient usually can leave the same day itself for recovery after a couple of hours.
• The doctor might suggest icepack, elevated leg position and change of dressing at home. The
• icepack will help reduce the swelling and minimize pain.
• Doctor will need to see you at a follow-up appointment after a few days.
• You might have to follow an exercise regimen, as instructed by the doctor or physical therapist.