Ankle Arthroscopy and Ankle Ligament Reconstruction

Ankle injuries are quite common in sport but can often be overlooked and treated as trivial sprains. If not accurately diagnosed and appropriately treated these injuries can be quite serious and can result in rapid degenerative changes in the ankle joint.

Ankle arthroscopies are performed as a routine day case procedure and allow the Surgeon to visualise the ankle joint from within and to deal with problems such as loose bodies, synovitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the ankle joint), treat dorsal impingement (commonly seen in Footballers and Rugby Players) and also gives us a chance to diagnose and treat ligament instabilities of the ankle.

Ankle instability is treated by using modern stabilisation procedures namely the dynamic EDB (extensor digitorum brevis) surgical procedure. Following an ankle stabilisation the foot and ankle is immobilised in a temporary plaster and patients are instructed to remain non weight bearing for at least 2 weeks. After a fortnight the ankle is immobilised in a special brace and an intensive course of rehabilitation and physiotherapy is started. It takes approximately 3-6 months for full functional recovery following an ankle stabilisation procedure.