Ankle arthroscopy

Complaints ankle

Arthroscopy of the ankle is a surgical procedure in which the ankle joint is viewed inside using a small camera. The surgeon can use arthroscopy for example to feel, repair or remove loose fragments and cartilage treatment.

Treatment ankle arthroscopy

The operation is done usually under general anesthesia.
Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your surgeon will make small cuts in the skin around your ankle joint. The surgeon will examine your ankle joint by looking at images sent by the arthroscopy to a monitor. If necessary, instruments are inserted to repair damage or remove material with fluid that interferes with movement or causes pain in your ankle.
Afterwards, your surgeon will drain the fluid out and close the cuts with stitches or adhesive strips.
Then he will wrap a dressing and a bandage around your ankle.
We use the latest technology to minimize tissue damage and recovery will be efficient.

Alternatively you may have the surgery under local or regional anesthesia. This completely blocks the pain from the ankle area and you will stay awake during the operation. The surgeon will explain you what happens during the procedure.

Preperation

How to prepare for your operation

First you visit the doctor's assistant or anesthesiologist. She will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after the treatment and the various forms of anesthesia and pain management, both during and after surgery. More information about anesthesia, you can read here.

The day of surgery is scheduled. You can return home on the on the same day of surgery.
You should borrow crutches as you will need them to walk for a few days following your surgery. For more information: www.thuiszorgwinkel.nl
After the surgery it may be needed to use crutches for a certain period. Contact your physical therapist for advice.

The day of surgery

You should bring your crutches and personal items such as medicines. You wear comfortable clothing and shoes and leave valuables at home as much as possible.

You appear sober at the clinic
After preparation you will positioned and treated in the operating room.
After surgery you will be moved to the recovery room.
The physical therapist will explain how you can exercise at home so recovery will be as smoothly as possible. It is important to follow the instructions carefully after you return home.
You will also be given pain medication to reduce the pain.
When you are restored sufficiently, the surgeon or anesthesiologist will agree with your dismissal.
Be sure to have someone with you to drive you home.

Recovery after surgery

You can return home on the on the same day of surgery. Your physical therapist will tell you how to exercise and how to use the crutches to walk safely. Therapeutic exercise will play an important role in how well you recover. The physical therapy program may improve your final result.
After 24 hours the bandage may be removed by yourself. Keep your incisions clean and dry.
After about 6 weeks, in most of the cases, the ankle is fully recovered.
You can drive if your ankle feels strong and stable enough. The period during which work can be resumed depends on the type of work you do.

Complications

Surgery is not without risks and complications can arise. Although the risk of a complication of this surgery is low, complications may be related to anesthesia or infections. Consult your surgeon with the following complications:

Bleeding from the wounds or bleeding in the ankle
The wounds remain sensitive sometimes long after the arthroscopy.
There may be a thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occur
Infection of the ankle joint
Damage to the ankle structures, such as nerves or blood vessels

Sometimes the outcome of surgery is not what you had expected. This may be related to the cause of your complaints. The exploratory surgery of the ankle is no major surgery, with minor complications and good results within a short time. Please consult our clinic if any question or may complication occur.

Expectations

The exploratory surgery of the ankle is no major surgery, with minor complications and good results within a short time. The exploratory surgery of the ankle is no major surgery, with minor complications and good results within a short time. The outcome of surgery is related to the cause of your complaints. Please consult our clinic if any question or may complication occur.

Frequent asked questions (FAQ)

Is arthroscopic surgery a safe procedure?
Any surgical procedure involves risks, for example infection, blood clots, problems with anesthesia, etc. These are serious risks and the decision to undergo arthroscopic surgery should be taken seriously. Nevertheless, arthroscopic surgery is a "less invasive" procedure and it is often very successful.

Do I need help at home after ankle arthroscopy?
You may feel groggy for the first 24-48 hours. Rest and give your body time to recover from surgery and anesthesia. For the first 24 hours after surgery you should not be left alone. This is if you need help or unforeseen problems arise. The days after surgery you are not as mobile as usual so it's nice when family or friends will give you a helping hand.

Is there an OK alternative, because of my medical history, for Delft Orthopedium?
Yes, then your orthopedic surgeon will operate you in the Vlietland hospital at Schiedam.

When can I return to work, play sports and participate in traffic?
The time needed for recovery depends upon your injury, your condition and initial complications. Often, patients return to work within a few days and return to most of the physical activities within 4-6 weeks. Please consult your surgeon if you expect to return to intense physical activity or sports activities with high impact exercises.

When should I contact Orthopedium clinic?
For questions please contact us during business hours; you can reach us by phone 088-0088444.

Call Orthopedium with any questions or doubts you have about your health or if you notice any of the following: continued bleeding through the bandage, persistent swelling, warmth or redness around the ankle, ankle.

When do I have to start with physical therapy?
You should discuss starting any rehabilitation plan with your orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist prior to initiating it.

Why do I stay sober for the surgery?
You should be sober before a surgery otherwise you might vomit during the operation, which can cause suffocation or pneumonia.

How long takes the ankle surgery procedure?
The average duration of the session takes between 30 and 45 minutes. The inclusion in the clinic is usually several hours.

Prepare yourself by reading all the information given. For any questions please telephone or email contact with Orthopedium.