Important Facts To Know About Ankle Arthroscopy

By Author: Vinayak Nikam
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The ankle is a hinge type joint that primarily holds the foot bones (talus) together with the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) through three sub joints; the ankle joint proper or talocrural joint, the subtalar joint, and the inferior tibiofibular joint. It is a weight-bearing joint that plays a major role in athletic movements like running, jumping, and pivoting. So naturally, it is highly prone to wear, sprains, and other injuries requiring surgical intervention for an Ankle specialist in Mumbai.

What is Ankle Arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is the most minimally invasive procedure orthopedic surgeons use to diagnose or treat joint injuries. Ankle arthroscopy is one such procedure recommended to treat ankle problems that do not respond to11 conventional pain management and therapy treatments.

The arthroscope is a thin tube-like tool with a tiny high-resolution camera and flashlight mounted at its tip. With this tool, the surgeon can view the ankle joint parts without a long incision.

Our arthroscopy surgeon in Mumbai usually recommends this procedure to:

● Diagnose unknown causes of ankle symptoms ...
... like pain, swelling, locking, catching, or grinding

● Diagnose the extent of soft tissue damage after an accident

● Treat ankle joint infections, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or any inflammatory condition

● Treat synovitis, which caused inflammation in the joint’s lining

● Remove bone debris or cartilages hindering joint functionality

● Surgically repair torn ligaments or fractures

How Is Ankle Arthroscopy performed?
Most arthroscopies are performed as outpatient procedures. However, ankle arthroscopy is also performed similarly under nerve blocks (local anesthesia) or general anesthesia.

The ankle specialist makes either one or more small incisions (less than an inch) around the ankle joint. An arthroscope is inserted through one incision, and a live video feed is established on its monitor.

The surgeon then inserts minimally invasive tools through other incisions to complete the required procedure.

These incisions can be closed with a single suture or surgical tape, and the patient is allowed to leave on the same day with some precautions to follow.

Benefits of Ankle Arthroscopy Over Ankle Arthrotomy (Open Surgery)
For athletes who can’t spend more time on the bench, arthroscopy is the best treatment option as it requires less recovery time.

There is minimal soft tissue damage, so the healing time and pain during recovery are also reduced.

The small incisions leave smaller scars that are often not visible from a distance; hence, you won’t face any aesthetic problems.

However, arthroscopy cannot be used for some ankle conditions, which can only be treated with ankle arthrotomy. Dr. Pranjal Kodkani, being an experienced arthroscopy surgeon in Mumbai, always performs a thorough diagnosis of the ankle problem before recommending this procedure. You can visit Dr. Kodkani to discuss your ankle problems and get the most beneficial treatment from an ankle specialist in Mumbai.