Faster Recovery with Ankle Scoping
“Can I have a bigger surgery incision?”
“Can you make my recovery longer?”
“Can I have the procedure with more complications?”
Survey says: these are questions patients never ask. And why would they? Surgical procedures have evolved so that invasiveness is minimal and recovery times are shorter. Just take ankle arthroscopy, known as ankle scoping.
Ankle scoping has a lot going for it. It is a reliable procedure with many benefits for the patient. The incisions are small, the recovery is faster, and there is significantly less risk than an open procedure. Though it is often recommended by podiatrists, patients tend to know far less about it than they might about scopes of the knees or shoulders.
Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to see cartilage, bone, and ligaments around the ankle joint. Two small incisions are made around the joint, which allow for the insertion of both a camera and whatever instruments are needed to repair the problem.
The most common reasons for an ankle scope are an osteochondral defect (OCD), low- to mid-grade arthritis in the joint, and for removal of scar tissue from previous injuries. The procedure can also be used as a diagnostic tool to help identify the cause of stiff joints, unexplained “clicking” in the joint, or otherwise unexplained ankle joint swelling.
Due to the small incisions, patients can typically return to high-level sports or daily activities sooner. When combined with functional and rehabilitation physical therapy, patients will have a much faster recovery. In a world where waiting three seconds for a website to load seems like an eternity, it’s always nice to offer a procedure that protects one of our most valuable commodities: time.
If you have an ankle issue, come see the podiatrists at the FAAWC. We can help determine if an ankle scope is the right procedure for your ankle condition or injury. Make an appointment today!
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