As modern medicine progresses, surgeries have become more efficient, less invasive, and provide an easier recovery. Ankle arthroscopy is just one of these miraculous procedures, changing the game for ankle surgery.
But what is ankle arthroscopy? Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat various conditions of the ankle including ankle arthritis, ankle injuries, and ankle deformities. Ankle arthroscopy utilizes an arthroscope, a small tube with a camera and light attached to the end, allowing for visualization of the ankle during the procedure. During an ankle arthroscopy procedure, the surgeon will make two small incisions, one will contain the arthroscope while the other is where the surgeon will work through, using the footage from the arthroscope as a guide.
There are a variety of benefits of this procedure:
- Minimally-Invasive: Due to the small size of the incisions, there is minimal damage to any surrounding, healthy tissue in the ankle joint.
- Reduced Pain: Because the incision size is reduced, patients report less postoperative pain making for a more comfortable recovery.1
- Lowered Complication Risks: The small incision and minimal damage to healthy surrounding tissue prevents excess Infections are also less likely to occur with ankle arthroscopy due to less exposure of the wound to pathogens.
- Short Hospital Stay: Ankle arthroscopy is often performed on an outpatient basis meaning that you can return to the comfort of your own home faster than you would be able to for traditional open ankle surgery.
- Less Scarring: Although scarring after surgery isn’t the worst thing that could happen to your ankle, it isn’t always With ankle arthroscopy, scarring is minimal and will likely fade over time.
- Earlier Return to Normal: Due to the minimally invasive nature and effectiveness of ankle arthroscopy, your return to normal will be sooner than you 1 Most patients are able to bear weight on their surgical ankle within a week or so, with a full return to normal within a couple of months.
If you are suffering from an ankle condition or ankle injury, ankle arthroscopy could help you return to normal faster. Dr. Bryant Ho is an expert orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery, including ankle arthroscopy. Reach out to him today, so you can jump start your life again!
Dr. Bryant S. Ho is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and is trained in the operative and non-operative management of adolescent and adult foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Ho places a strong emphasis on customizing his care for each patient to ensure successful outcomes. He provides all treatment options, including preventative care, conservative management, and operative intervention.
