Ankle surgery techniques can vary based on the patient and type of injury. Whether the damage is fairly minor or it's enough to sideline you for a long time, Dr. Daniel Haber at Daniel Haber, MD, in Campbell, California, can help. He's an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist who offers arthroscopic surgery and all types of recovery plans to help you regain full use of your ankle.
An ankle arthroscopy is the least invasive option for ankle surgery available today. This type of surgery can treat a variety of issues within the ankle, especially issues with soft tissue. The overall goal of ankle arthroscopy is twofold: First, to reduce or eliminate your pain, and second, to improve the way your ankle functions.
Ankle arthroscopy is done while you're under local anesthesia, so you won't be in pain. A small incision, a fraction of the length of the incisions used in traditional ankle surgery, is created in the treatment area. Dr. Haber places an ultra-thin fiber optic camera into the incision. This camera then relays live images of the inside of the ankle to a nearby monitor so Dr. Haber can get a highly detailed view of the treatment area. This small incision also allows an access point for surgical tools during the procedure. Additional small incisions may also be made to allow for the best possible access to the damaged ankle. During the procedure, Dr. Haber can repair damage, remove tissue that can't be repaired, and shape cartilage, as needed.
An ankle arthroscopy is used in a variety of circumstances, including:
The amount of recovery time needed can vary by patient, but most patients find ankle arthroscopy quite easy to recover from. Only a week or so off work is needed in most cases. As long as you follow Dr. Haber's discharge instructions and take care to avoid reinjury, you'll be back on your feet very quickly.