Ankle Arthroscopy Treatment

Ankle issues are a very common concern, and they can affect people of any age group. Adults, children, and working women often experience ankle issues due to excessive physical work. Although ankle issues are not considered a serious problem, they can heal through taking medications and practicing certain exercises. When doctors diagnose serious ankle issues, they suggest ankle arthroscopy on ankle. This treatment is used to treat various ankle issues. Such as chronic ankle instability, osteochondral lesions, ankle arthritis, Ankle impingement, etc. Ankle arthroscopy has low risk of complications, and it is an outpatient procedure. That means a patient can go home on the same day after obtaining the surgery procedure. 

What is Ankle Arthroscopy? 

Ankle arthroscopy treatment used to treat inside issues of your ankle joint. In this procedure, an orthopedic surgeon uses specific medical techniques and inserts an arthroscope inside your ankle to detect the cause of pain and repair the damage. The arthroscope involves a camera and a light that lets your surgeon identify what’s happening inside the ankle. The procedure involves minimal incisions in the skin. Incisions are essential to carry out arthroscopy, but these are smaller than typical surgical procedures. It is less stressful on your body than other procedures.

Eligible Candidates for Ankle Arthroscopy Treatment

Individuals who are suffering with long-term ankle pain and those who are not getting relief from other treatment methods are eligible candidates for ankle arthroscopy. The procedure is also beneficial for those who are having trouble moving their foot because of ankle issues occurring inside the foot joint.  It is usually recommended by the orthopedic surgeon when physical therapy and steroid injections are not effective enough to provide relief from the pain. 

What Conditions Does Ankle Arthroscopy Treat?

Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can solve a wide range of ankle issues, including:

• Instability: Something unusual occurring inside your ankle joint, like a bone deformity, might make it hard for you to properly stand and move, and often leads to frequent sprains. Hence, an orthopedic doctor can diagnose this condition and provide you the required treatment.  
• Impingement: It refers to pinching and compression of tissues like bone, tendons, or nerves. As a result, an individual experiences swelling and stiffness. It causes pain and restricts movement. Impingement can affect various joints, including shoulder and ankle.  
• Removing Pieces of Bone, Cartilage, or Scar Tissue: Due to an injury, your bone or cartilage might get damaged, or you may experience loose pieces inside of your joint that might cause pain as well. 
• Torn Ligament: Ligaments are like flexible rubber bands that hold your bone together. If you have an accident and suffer with tear or damage a ligament, then your ankle could not function well.  

Cost of Ankle Arthroscopy Surgery

An ankle arthroscopy cost typically ranges from INR 45,000 to INR 1,50,000. Although the final cost may vary depending on various factors. These include:  

• Orthopedic surgeon Expertise 
• Complexity of the case 
• Type of hospital 
• Hospital location
• Pre- Examination 
• Medications And injections cost 

Benefits Of Ankle Arthroscopy 

The following are the benefits of availing an ankle arthroscopy surgery:

• Faster recovery
• Less pain 
• Minimal Blood loss 
• Outpatient procedure 
• Minimum Scars 
• Minimal Risks of Complications 

Risks of Ankle Arthroscopy 

Although an ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, in rare cases it can pose some risks and complications. These include: 

• Allergic Reaction from Anesthesia 
• Nerve Damage 
• Infection 
• Blood clots 
• Deep vein thrombosis 
• Tissue Damage 
• Tingling and numbness in the ankle 
• Swelling 
• Pain 

Ankle Arthroscopy Treatment Procedure

Complete process of ankle arthroscopy treatment before to after.

Before Procedure

Before undergoing an ankle arthroscopy, you need to follow some instructions given by the doctor, which are as follows: 

• Before the procedure, inform your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. If you are taking blood thinners, whether prescribed or OTC can be harmful for your health while going for the surgery and after surgery. Hence, it is essential to inform you about medications to prepare for the arthroscopy. 
• If you smoke or consume other types of tobacco products, then you must quit these products before four weeks of your surgery. 
• Quit Alcohol, alcohol thins your blood, which can pose some risks during surgery. Therefore, a healthcare provider advised you not to consume alcohol. 
• Eating and drinking instructions, like avoiding consuming certain types of food and drinks for 12 hours before arthroscopy, can contribute to your surgery success. 

During Surgery 

An ankle arthroscopy done through following steps which are as follows: 

• Initially, you’ll be given a mild anesthesia to relax during the surgery. 
• After that, the operating surgeon will make small incisions on your foot’s skin to insert the arthroscope inside your ankle. 
• After insertion of the arthroscope, the surgeon will identify the cause of pain and restriction of the ankle. 
• Once the surgeon detects the cause of pain, he/she will adjust and repair the problem and then withdraw the arthroscope from your joint and close the incisions. 
• The whole procedure might take an hour, the surgery period depends on the complexity of the procedure.
• Once the surgery is over, the patient can go home on the same day. 

Recovery Tips after this Treatment

For better recovery, an individual need to follow some tips, including: 

• Avoid putting heavy weight and certain exercises that can create pressure on your ankle. 
• You need to keep your incision clean and clear. 
• Take pain management medications. 
• Avoid taking bath until the incisions are heal.