Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a fiber-optic viewing camera and small surgical tools to operate in and around the ankle joint through small incisions. Ankle arthroscopy is performed for the surgical evaluation and treatment of a variety of ankle conditions. Arthroscopic surgery can have a quicker recovery time than traditional open surgery.
Indicated in- Osteochondral lesions of the talus
- Microfracture of OCD
- Debridement of post-traumatic synovitis
- ATFL anterolateral impingement
- AITFL( antero-inferior tibiofibular ligament) anterolateral impingement
- Resection of anterior tibiotalar spurs– anterior bony impingement
- OS trigonum excision
- Removal of loose bodies
- OS trigonum excision
- Arthrofibrosis
- OS trigonum excision
- Unexplained Ankle Symptoms
- Cartilage debridement in conjunction with ankle fusions
Procedure
Ankle arthroscopy is generally performed as an day care surgery under general anesthesia with or without a regional pain block or epidural anesthesia with sedation. After adequate anesthesia is established, a tourniquet is applied to the leg and the leg is prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. Mechanical distraction devices are sometimes used to help surgeons temporarily enlarge the potential space of the ankle. After the foot and ankle are appropriately positioned, at least two, approximately 0.5mm incisions are made in the ankle. These incisions become the entry sites into the ankle, or portals, for the arthroscopic camera and instruments. These portals are placed strategically in an effort to avoid vessels and nerves. The incisions are made in the front or back of the ankle, or a combination of these. Sterile fluid is then allowed to flow through the ankle to further open the joint. The camera and instruments can then be exchanged between portals to perform the surgery. At the conclusion of the procedure, small sutures are placed in the skin to close the portals.