Ankle Arthroscopy

What you should know

• Ankle arthroscopy (ahr-THROS-ko-pe) is a procedure to check or repair a damaged or diseased ankle joint. The ankle joint is where your lower leg bones and the bone on the top of your foot meet. Ankle arthroscopy may be done to check an injured, unstable, stiff, or painful ankle. If you have these problems after treatment with exercises, special shoes, a splint or other measures, you may need an ankle arthroscopy. This procedure shows the condition of your bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues. Tendons are strong elastic tissues that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments connect one bone to another.
  
  
• Ankle arthroscopy may be used to remove, repair, or rebuild part of the ankle. It may be done to fix broken bones, ligament tears, loose tissue, or other problems. During the procedure, an arthroscope is used to see inside the joint. An arthroscope is a long metal tube with a light, camera, and magnifying glass on the end. Small tools will be used to fix your ankle problem. With ankle arthroscopy, your ankle problem may be found and treated, and you may be able to do your usual activities.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

Risks of having an ankle arthroscopy include getting an infection or bleeding during or after your procedure. Nerves, blood vessels, or ligaments in your ankle may be damaged during your procedure. Your ankle may become more stiff, numb, or painful after the arthroscopy. You may not be able to move your ankle as well as you could before your procedure. You may be allergic to medicines, including anesthesia, used during the procedure. You may have the same or other problems with your ankle after this procedure. You may still need to have open surgery on your ankle. If your ankle is not treated, your ankle pain and problems may get worse. You may have trouble going back to your usual activities, including sports. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your procedure, medicine, or care.

Getting Ready

The week before your procedure:

• Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after your procedure. Do not drive yourself home.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
  
  
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your caregiver if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
  
  
• Antibiotics: You may need to use antibiotic (germ-killing) medicine to help prevent infection after your ankle arthroscopy.
  
  
• Tell your caregiver if you know or think you might be pregnant.
  
  
• You may need to have blood tests and x-rays. You may also need scans such as a CT scan to show the bones, tissues, blood vessels, and other parts of the ankle. Ask your caregiver for more information about these and other tests that you may need. Write down the date, time, and location of each test.

The night before your procedure:

• Remove any nail polish.
  
  
• You may be given medicine to help you sleep.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.

The day of your procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  
• What to bring: You may want to bring items such as a toothbrush and bathrobe.
  
  
• If you wear contact lenses, do not wear them on the day of your procedure or surgery. Glasses may be worn.
  
  
• Caregivers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine.
  
  
• An anesthesiologist may talk to you before your surgery. This caregiver may give you medicine to make you sleepy before your procedure or surgery. Tell your caregiver if you or anyone in your family has had a problem using anesthesia in the past.
  
  
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your caregiver permission to do the ankle arthroscopy. It may also allow your caregiver to do other procedures to treat tissue injury or damage in your ankle. It also explains the problems that may happen, that the treatment plan may change, and your choices. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.

Treatment

What will happen:

• You will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will be taken to the room where your procedure will be done. Caregivers will mark the areas on your ankle where the scope will be inserted. You may be asleep or remain awake during the procedure. Anesthesia medicine will be given to control pain. Your ankle, leg, and foot will be cleaned and covered with sheets.
  
  
• A needle will be inserted and liquid put inside the joint. Fluoroscopy (a type of x-ray) may be used to see inside the joint. Caregivers will make an incision (cut) on your ankle to insert the arthroscope. More small incisions will be made into your ankle joint. Small tools may be put into the incisions to remove or repair tissue in your ankle. Screws, stitches, or anchors may be placed in the joint. Heat energy may be used to stop bleeding, destroy unwanted tissue and shorten ligaments. The incisions will be closed with stitches and wrapped tightly with a large bandage. Your foot and leg may be put in a cast or splint.

After your procedure:

You will be taken to a room where you can rest. Caregivers will watch you closely. When they see that you are ready, you may be allowed to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your hospital room. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK.

Waiting area:

This is an area where your family and friends can wait until you are able to have visitors. Ask your visitors to provide a way to reach them if they leave the waiting area.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot make it to your procedure on time.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have a skin infection or an infected wound near the injured ankle.

Seek Care Immediately if

• The problems for which you are having the arthroscopy get worse.
  
  
• You have a lot more pain or trouble moving around.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.