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Ankle Joint Arthroscopy

Ankle pain may indicate several different foot or ankle conditions. You may have suffered an acute but temporary condition like an ankle sprain or inflammation due to overuse. It could also indicate more serious problems, such as a fracture, ankle instability, or degenerative arthritis. We may recommend an ankle arthroscopy to get a closer look at the ankle without having to make a large incision in the foot.

What Is an Ankle Arthroscopy?

An ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in or around the ankle joint. An arthroscopy usually takes less than an hour to complete and can be done on an outpatient basis.

During the Procedure

During an ankle arthroscopy, a tiny flexible tube (arthroscope), with a light and small camera attached, is inserted into the ankle joint through small incisions made in the skin. Real-time video from the camera is delivered and amplified in high definition to a digital monitor your surgeon can view during the procedure to see inside the joint. During the procedure, your surgeon may also use miniature surgical tools, passed through the arthroscope, to make any necessary repairs and remove damaged tissue from the area.

After the Procedure

After an ankle arthroscopy, you may experience some swelling and bruising around the incision site. You may also need to wear a splint or brace for a few days to help keep your ankle stable as the incision site heals. Physical therapy may also be recommended to help you regain your range of motion and strength in your ankle. Most people recover from ankle arthroscopy within a few weeks and can return fully to their normal activities.

Why an Ankle Arthroscopy Is Performed

An ankle arthroscopy is used frequently to diagnose and treat a wide variety of foot and ankle issues, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Bone chips or other loose fragments
  • Cartilage damage
  • Dislocation
  • Impingement
  • Instability
  • Fracture
  • Ligament tears
  • Tendonitis and other tendon injuries

If you are experiencing ankle pain, our board-certified and highly skilled foot and ankle surgeons will help you out. Our surgeons will assess you thoroughly and see if an arthroscopy is indicated. This minimally invasive procedure can often provide relief from a wide variety of ankle problems.

Benefits of Arthroscopy

Because only the tiniest incisions are necessary to conduct an ankle arthroscopy, the procedure offers numerous benefits over more traditional “open” surgeries, in which a larger incision is made, and the target area opened for viewing and fixing by your surgeon.

The benefits of an ankle arthroscopy include:

  • Faster recovery time
  • Reduced risk of complications (e.g., infection, excess bleeding)
  • Little to no visible scarring
  • Less post-op pain
  • It’s a same-day, outpatient procedure
Minimally Invasive Ankle Arthroscopy in RI and MA

If you’re considering an ankle arthroscopy, be sure to choose a surgeon who has mastered the art of this highly specialized procedure. For that level of expertise, you’ll want to consult the board-certified surgeons at the Foot & Ankle Institute of New England. Get started by contacting the office nearest you, in Warwick, Rhode Island; Middletown, Rhode Island; or Dartmouth, Massachusetts. You can also use our online appointment request form.