Ankle arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy offers the benefits of a short hospital stay, minimal pain, and a quick return to activities.
What is ankle arthroscopy?
Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical technique that enables easy visualisation of the ankle’s joint structures. Ankle injuries are very common in sports traumatology, often affecting the cartilage and underlying bone, leading to osteochondral lesions. Ankle arthroscopy can help avoid more complex and invasive surgeries.
What is an ankle arthroscopy procedure like?
Ankle arthroscopy utilises a small camera and surgical instruments to examine or repair tissues in and around the ankle. This procedure enables the doctor to identify issues and make repairs without the need for large incisions in the skin and tissue.
What injuries are treated with ankle arthroscopy?
Sports injuries often result from repeated impacts from running or kicking, leading to pain and difficulty climbing ramps, stairs, or walking on uneven ground.
When an ankle is broken, plates and screws are often required to reconstruct the joint.
Over time, this can result in reduced mobility and progressive pain. In such cases, ankle arthroscopy can be crucial for debridement and arthrolysis to restore mobility.
What are the advantages of ankle arthroscopy?
Ankle arthroscopy offers the benefits of a short hospital stay, minimal pain, and a quick return to activities.
What is recovery like after ankle arthroscopy?
Recovery from ankle arthroscopy depends on the type of injury and surgery performed. Typically, a splint is worn for about 10 to 15 days post-operation, followed by a period of intensive rest. After this, an orthopaedic boot is used for 4 to 6 weeks. It is crucial to consult a physiotherapist for ankle proprioception exercises to enhance rehabilitation.
The Knee Unit at Instituto Cugat conducts more than 300 knee arthroscopies a year.
