Arthroscopy of the ankle joint

Ankle arthroscopy is both diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases using a miniature camera inserted through a small incision in the lower leg.

A significant advantage of arthroscopy is its minimally invasive nature compared to other types of surgery. Minor punctures, no large incisions or stitches. And the ability to return to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible.

Most injuries to the skeleton and soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system are ankle injuries. Pain, deformation and inflammation only progress and worsen the situation with each passing year or month. And any treatment methods, except for surgery, have an extremely low effect.

Arthroscopy solves the problem quickly and for a long time (depending on the situation)

INDICATIONS FOR ANKLE ARTHROSCOPY

  • the presence of free bone and cartilage bodies in the joint (chondromatous bodies);
  • aseptic necrosis of the talus;
  • dissecting osteochondritis;
  • chronic synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint);
  • marginal fractures of the talus;
  • impingement syndrome (impingement of bone or soft tissue structure between the joint surfaces);
  • restoration of ligaments in case of instability due to injury;
  • troscopic arthrodesis of the ankle joint;
  • arthroscopic arthrodesis of the subtalar joint;

Along with these joint injuries, a person usually feels pain when walking, going up and down stairs, has difficulty standing and wearing normal shoes. The sooner a patient seeks diagnosis and treatment, the sooner they can resume a mobile and pain-free lifestyle.

HOW THE OPERATION GOES

Small punctures (up to 5 mm) are made along the anterior or posterior surface of the ankle joint, and a thin arthroscope optic is inserted to show the epicenter of the problem and simultaneously correct traumatic areas. The entire procedure is performed painlessly under epidural anesthesia, or at the patient's request - under general anesthesia.

Upon completion of the procedure, sutures or tantalum staples are applied, which will be barely noticeable on the body in a few weeks due to their small size. The sutures are removed on the 13th-14th day, or you can choose sutures that do not need to be removed.

HOW LONG THE OPERATION LASTS

Arthroscopy of the ankle joint in the anterior part of the joint lasts 20-30 minutes. In the posterior part of the joint - about 45 minutes. In case of arthroscopic reconstruction of the capsular-ligamentous apparatus of the lower leg, the operation time increases to 60-90 minutes.

REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY

Full rehabilitation lasts 4-6 weeks, and then you return to your normal routine. What is included in the recovery process: for the first 5-7 days, you use elbow crutches (crutches) to reduce the load on the joint, undergo physiotherapy procedures. The doctor may also prescribe the administration of hyaluronic acid and plasma preparations, which helps to improve the regeneration of cartilage, synovial membrane, increase joint mobility, and improve blood circulation.

After the stitches are removed, you can already go to baths, saunas and swimming pools. Prolonged walking and running are possible 6-8 weeks after surgery. Strength training - in 2-3 months. Surgeon Vasyl Makarov has 25 years of experience in treating joint diseases, so he selects a rehabilitation program along with recommendations for each patient individually, which allows them to return to the condition they had before the disease or injury as soon as possible and without complications.

BENEFITS OF ARTHROSCOPY

During the procedure, surgical interventions are minimal due to modern technologies. Therefore, pain sensitivity after the operation is much less than with classical types of operations with incisions. Therefore, there is practically no blood loss. Optical devices help to accurately and precisely determine the epicenter of the problem and eliminate the disease. The level of complications after arthroscopy is sharply reduced, and the rehabilitation time is much faster.

Arthroscopy of the ankle joint is an excellent alternative to difficult and traumatic surgeries, which radically solves the problem for many years, but relieves the patient of discomfort, pain, stress and does not require special preparation.

Results of ankle arthroscopy

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