Arthroscopy is a procedure in which a miniature telescope is inserted through a 2cm incision over a joint - for example the hip, knee, ankle or shoulder. Other small incisions are made to introduce instruments to examine the joint, remove fluid or make repairs in the area.
Arthritis Ankle arthroscopy is performed on an outpatient basis and uses tiny incisions to access the ankle joint. During this procedure, a camera tube called an arthroscope is inserted into one of the incisions and small surgical instruments into the others. The arthroscope allows the surgeon to visually examine the ankle joint and guide the instruments to the area for treatment. The surgical instruments will be inserted if needed to remove or repair tissue within the ankle joint.
Arthroscopy is very often performed as a day case with the patient under general anaesthetic. The procedure usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Your surgeon will make several small incisions (cuts) in your ankle. They will insert a tiny camera through one of the incisions to examine any problems in the area. They will insert other instruments to wash out any loose material caused by wear and tear of the joint surfaces and remove any bone spurs or swelling of the lining of your ankle joint. They may be able to make small repairs to torn cartilage through the small incisions. Your surgeon will close the incisions with stitches or steri-strips. Your ankle may be bandaged.