Ankle arthroscopy is a surgery that uses a tiny camera and surgical tools to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your ankle through small incisions. Surgeons can diagnose problems such as damage to the joint surfaces or ligaments and arthritis through this.
The problems inside your ankle can be often diagnosed using magnetic scan (MRI Scan) but still you may need an arthroscopy to treat the problems.
Why is ankle arthroscopy used?
Ankle arthroscopy can be used to surgically remove inflamed tissues that do not respond to non-surgical treatments. In other words, it is used to identify scar tissues and to remove it.
Ankle arthroscopy can be used in some of the situations;
- For ankle fractures
- To repair and look for cartilage injuries inside the ankle
- For infections
- For injuries
- For Arthritis
- For inflammatory conditions
- For unexplained ankle symptoms
Complications and risks of Ankle arthroscopy surgery:
Some of these complications can be very serious.
Some of the general complications are;
- Infection of surgical site (wound)
- Damage to the nerves and blood vessels
- Bleeding / blood clots
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Pain
Some of the specific complications are;
- Infection in the ankle point
- Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of your ankle
- Damage to nerves around your ankle
The operation usually takes 30 – 45 minutes
A magnetic Scan (MRI Scan) can often be used to diagnose the problems inside your ankle. Yet, you may then need an arthroscopy to treat the problem.
After an ankle arthroscopy surgery, if signs and symptoms of infection occur. Call your doctor.
Some of the signs of an infection include:
- Fever
- Increase in pain for more than 2 days after surgery
- Red streaks from the incisions
- Pus drainage from the incisions
Some of the benefits of Ankle arthroscopy Surgery are:
The problems in your ankle can be identified easily and can be treated at the same time.
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