Ankle Arthroscopy

Home » KneeMarch 26, 2020

Ankle arthroscopy is a specialized procedure used to evaluate and treat conditions within the ankle joint. In this procedure, two small (roughly 1 cm or less) incisions are made in the front of the ankle. Through one of the incisions, a small camera (smaller than a pencil) is placed to evaluate the ankle joint. Through the other incision, instruments are placed to address the cause of the ankle pain. On occasion, additional incisions may be required to access more difficult parts of the joint.

Ankle arthroscopy is indicated for various ankle conditions. Below are a few more common injuries addressed through ankle arthroscopy

  • Intra-articular loose bodies – loose bodies that form in the ankle can be cartilagenous, bony or other soft tissue. These loose bodies can cause pain in the ankle as they get caught in the joint during range of motion. These can be removed arthroscopically.
  • Impingement – Bony formations or soft tissue can form on the front or back of the ankle causing pain with ankle range of motion. These bony growths can be shaved or soft tissue removed arthroscopically to provide increased ROM without impinging.
  • Cartilage defects – Some patients have pain from defects in the cartilage. These can form spontaneously or as a result of injury. If left untreated, the patient may form early osteoarthritis of the joint. Cartilage defects can be treated arthroscopically with a microfracture procedure which stimulates a healing response from the bone to form a fibrous covering over the defect and improve or resolve the ankle pain.
  • Arthrofibrosis – This condition usually forms as a result of trauma or surgery which causes scar tissue to form or inflammation of the joint capsule. In this setting, arthroscopy is used to remove the scar tissue.
  • Unknown ankle pain – Sometimes, patients will have persistent ankle pain without a clear cause. Imaging may or may not definitively identify a source of pain. When a cause of pain remains unclear, your surgeon may elect to perform an arthroscopic examination of the ankle joint to identify any possible pain generators.

Recovery from ankle arthroscopy procedures can vary widely depending on the procedure performed. The orthopedic team will develop postoperative guidelines specific to your condition.