Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement

Posted On: 04-28-2015

What is Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement?

An arthroscopic ankle replacement removes damaged cartilage and bone in the ankle and replaces it with parts made of plastic, metal, or ceramic for durability. This procedure is performed with a minimally invasive method that utilizes an arthroscope (a narrow tube with a video camera on its end) inserted through small incisions in order to guide the surgeon through the procedure.

Also Known As:

Arthroscopic arthroplasty of the ankle
Minimally invasive ankle arthroplasty
Minimally invasive ankle replacement
Ankle arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery

Conditions Treated with Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement:

Arthroscopic ankle replacement is utilized in order to treat ankle injury, ankle pain, reduced ankle mobility, and arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis of the ankle.

Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement by OrangeCountySurgeons

Non-Surgical or Other Surgical Alternatives to Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement:

Non-surgical alternatives to arthroscopic ankle replacement include pain medication, anti-inflammatory steroid injections, physical therapy and strength training. Losing weight, wearing an ankle brace and using a walking aid can also help. Ankle replacement and ankle fusion are surgical alternatives.

Anesthesia with Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement:

Arthroscopic ankle replacement can be performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware during the procedure. Local or regional anesthesia can also be used.

Potential Complications from Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement:

Possible risks following arthroscopic ankle replacement include infection, bleeding and a negative reaction to the anesthesia. It is also possible for the artificial ankle parts to be incorrectly positioned, for the artificial ankle to become dislocated and for there to be no improvement in ankle mobility.

Prognosis after Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement:

The prognosis for a positive end result following arthroscopic ankle replacement is good.

Recovery from Arthroscopic Ankle Replacement:

Recovery after arthroscopic ankle replacement is six to eight weeks.