Ankle Arthroscopy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Risks

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

Before You Go

• You will need to stop eating and drinking in preparation for this procedure. The doctor will tell you exactly when to begin fasting.

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Your Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• During Your Arthroscopy...
  • You will be taken to the operating room. The hair around your ankle will be shaved and the area will be scrubbed with soap and water.
  • You will need to lie still and move as little as possible during the procedure. Your doctor will give you numbing medicine, so you will feel little pain. You may be put to sleep with anesthetic medication.
  • An elastic bandage will be wrapped tightly around your leg and foot to help drain blood from your leg. A rubber cuff may be put around your leg to slow the flow of blood into your ankle. Doctors sometimes pump liquid into the ankle joint to further decrease blood flow to the ankle.
  • Your doctor will then make a small hole in the skin at your ankle and put the arthroscope through it. In some cases the arthroscope may have to be inserted into a second area of your ankle. During this part of the procedure, you may feel pressure or a thumping sensation.
  • Your doctor may repair or remove some of the tissue in your ankle joint.
  • When the arthroscope is taken out, your doctor will close the hole with sutures (a type of thread) and put a bandage on the wound.
  • Your arthroscopy will take about 30 to 45 minutes. You may be given medicine to help relieve your pain.

After You Leave

• When you leave the hospital, you may still be drowsy from the medicine. Do not drive during this period.
• Stay off your feet as much as possible for 24 to 48 hours. Keep your leg raised on 2 pillows whenever possible for the next 2 days.
• For the first 24 hours, apply an ice pack to the area to reduce pain and swelling. Put ice in a plastic bag and place a towel between the bag of ice and your skin or the bandage. Keep the ice pack on your ankle for up to 2 hours at a time.
• You'll need to walk with crutches for one week; put as much weight on your ankle as comfort permits.
• Keep your dressing dry and clean. After 4 days, remove the wrap and dressing.
• After your bandage is off, you may bathe or shower as usual. Wash the incision gently with soap and water.
• To prevent development of blood clots, move your legs often while resting in bed.
• You may begin drinking or eating as soon as you are up to it.
• Resume work and normal activity as soon as possible.
• Avoid vigorous exercise such as jogging or bicycling for 6 weeks after the procedure.

Call Your Doctor If...

• Swelling, drainage, or bleeding gets worse in the area of the incision.
• You develop signs of infection such as a headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a generally ill feeling.
• You suffer really bad pain that is not helped by medicine.
• You develop a high temperature.