Why is it done?

For severe pain in the ankle usually secondary to osteo-arthritis. 

Investigations

An x-ray of the ankle confirms the degree of degenerative arthritis within the ankle. Very occasionally an additional CT scan of the ankle may be required for additional pre-operative information. 

Operative treatment

Surgery is performed as an inpatient (approximately five days) under general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia. The procedure can be performed either using an arthroscope (keyhole) or open (standard) incision. Your surgeon will advise you of which procedure would be suitable for you. Either way at the end of surgery a below knee plaster of Paris backslab is applied. Patients are initially asked to mobilise, with very little weight going through the operated leg, using the aid of crutches.