Ankle arthroscopy can be helpful for patients who have damage to the cartilage of the ankle joint. Typically sustained after an ankle sprain, some people who have continued pain may have a small piece of bone and cartilage that is loose inside the ankle joint.
Ankle arthroscopy can be used to remove the loose fragment, and perform surgery to help stimulate the growth of fibrocartilage in the defect. This is done through two small incisions at the front of the ankle. The surgery is very safe, with a very low risk of infection. The main risk is to small sensory nerves around the ankle.
Some patients also have pain at the front of the ankle when they walk, caused by spurring at the front of the ankle joint. Ankle arthroscopy can be useful to remove this spur, and improve patient’s pain when walking.
Dr. Tim Dwyer 