Other common names

• Keyhole surgery

• Ankle scope

Why is it done?

If your surgeon thinks you have a problem inside your ankle joint, they may wish to look inside under direct vision with a camera. Reasons for wishing to do this include diagnosing cartilage injuries and arthritis. Treatments used with the arthroscope include trimming or repairing torn cartilage, removing scar tissue, removing loose bodies, removing inflamed lining of the joint and removing arthritic bone overgrowth.

Investigations

MRI scan can show problems inside the ankle joint and occasionally is used as an alternative additional investigation.

Operative treatment

The surgery is a day case procedure, but does require a general anaesthetic.

A tourniquet is placed around the upper thigh. Usually two small incisions are made at the front of the ankle, occasionally an additional incision is made at the back. After the arthroscopy the skin is sutured and bulky dressing is applied. After surgery patients are allowed to weight bear immediately with the protection of crutches.