Ankle Arthroscopy in Singapore

Language:English | 中文 | Bahasa

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Overview

What Is Ankle Arthroscopy?
Benefits of Ankle Arthroscopy
What Can Ankle Arthroscopy Diagnose?
What Does Ankle Arthroscopy Treat?
Common Types of Ankle Arthroscopy
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Ankle Arthroscopy?
How Is Ankle Arthroscopy Performed?
What to Expect Before and After Ankle Arthroscopy
Risks of Ankle Arthroscopy

What Is Ankle Arthroscopy?

Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a small camera (arthroscope) to examine and treat conditions inside the ankle joint. The procedure involves making tiny incisions through which the arthroscope and specialised surgical instruments are inserted.

The camera projects high-definition images onto a monitor, allowing the surgeon to visualize and repair damaged structures with precision. Unlike traditional open surgery, ankle arthroscopy minimizes tissue disruption, resulting in less pain, smaller scars, and a quicker recovery time.

Benefits of Ankle Arthroscopy

Ankle arthroscopy provides several advantages over conventional open surgery, including:

Minimally Invasive: Smaller incisions result in less trauma to surrounding tissues
Faster Recovery: Patients often experience quicker healing and a shorter rehabilitation period
Reduced Post-Operative Pain: Less tissue disruption leads to decreased pain and discomfort
Lower Risk of Complications: Reduced risk of infections and other surgical complications
Improved Diagnostic Accuracy: High-definition visualization allows precise diagnosis and treatment

To find out if knee arthroscopy may be suitable for you, please reach out to us today for a detailed evaluation and advice.

CALL US WHATSAPP

What Can Ankle Arthroscopy Diagnose?

What Can Ankle Arthroscopy Diagnose?

Ankle arthroscopy is commonly used to diagnose various conditions affecting the ankle joint, including:

Cartilage Injuries (Osteochondral Lesions): Damage to the cartilage and underlying bone
Ankle Impingement Syndrome: Painful pinching of soft tissues or bone within the joint
Ankle Instability: Chronic looseness or recurrent sprains
Loose Bodies: Fragments of cartilage or bone floating inside the joint
Synovitis: Inflammation of the synovial lining inside the ankle joint
Tendon and Ligament Injuries: Partial tears or chronic inflammation

What Does Ankle Arthroscopy Treat?

Ankle arthroscopy is both a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that can treat conditions such as:

Osteochondral Lesion Repair: Removing or repairing damaged cartilage
Bone Spur Removal: Addressing impingement by removing excess bone
Ligament Repair or Reconstruction: Treating chronic instability from torn ligaments
Synovectomy: Removing inflamed synovial tissue to reduce pain
Loose Body Removal: Extracting floating bone or cartilage fragments
Fracture Management: Assisting in the treatment of certain ankle fractures

What Does Ankle Arthroscopy Treat?

Common Types of Ankle Arthroscopy

There are different types of ankle arthroscopic procedures, including:

Osteochondral Lesion Repair: Repairing or replacing damaged cartilage
Anterior Ankle Impingement Removal: Removing bone spurs causing pain in the front of the ankle
Posterior Ankle Impingement Removal: Treating pain at the back of the ankle, common in athletes

Ankle Stabilization: Repairing ligaments to improve joint stability
Synovectomy: Removing inflamed synovial tissue
Loose Body Removal: Extracting fragments that cause pain and restricted movement

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Ankle Arthroscopy?

Patients experiencing persistent ankle pain, instability, or limited mobility that does not respond to non-surgical treatments may be suitable candidates for ankle arthroscopy. Ideal candidates include:

Individuals with chronic ankle instability
Patients with osteochondral lesions or cartilage damage
Athletes experiencing ankle impingement or pain from overuse
Those with persistent swelling or stiffness due to synovitis
Patients with loose bodies or bone spurs causing discomfort
Individuals with ligament injuries not improving with physiotherapy

A thorough evaluation by an orthopaedic surgeon is necessary to determine if ankle arthroscopy is the best treatment option.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Ankle Arthroscopy?

How Is Ankle Arthroscopy Performed?

How Is Ankle Arthroscopy Performed?

Ankle arthroscopy is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general or regional anesthesia. The steps include:

Preparation – The ankle is sterilized, and anaesthesia is administered
Incision and Camera Insertion – Small incisions are made, and the arthroscope is inserted.
Diagnosis and Treatment – The surgeon assesses the joint and performs necessary repairs using specialised instruments
Closure and Bandaging – The incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape and covered with a bandage
Recovery – The patient is monitored post-operatively before being discharged with rehabilitation guidelines

What to Expect Before and After Ankle Arthroscopy

Before Surgery

After Surgery

Before Surgery

A consultation with imaging tests like MRI or X-rays to evaluate the ankle
Patients may be advised to stop certain medications before surgery
Instructions regarding fasting before anaesthesia will be provided

Risks of Ankle Arthroscopy

Although ankle arthroscopy is a safe procedure, potential risks include:

Infection – Rare but possible at incision sites
Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury – Though uncommon, nerve damage can lead to numbness or tingling
Stiffness and Swelling – Temporary but may require physiotherapy
Blood Clots – Rare but possible in the lower leg
Incomplete Symptom Relief – Some patients may need further treatment

GET IN TOUCH

Contact Us Today

For more information about our services, or to make an appointment, please reach out to us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Call us

whatsapp us

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Ankle arthroscopy typically lasts between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure.

Yes, crutches are often required for 1–2 weeks to reduce pressure on the healing ankle. The exact duration depends on the extent of the surgery and individual recovery progress.

Return to sports varies by procedure, but most athletes resume light activities within 4–6 weeks and competitive sports after 3–6 months, following a structured rehabilitation plan.

While ankle arthroscopy can help relieve arthritis symptoms by removing loose cartilage and inflamed tissue, it cannot reverse severe arthritis. Advanced cases may require alternative treatments like ankle fusion or ankle replacement.

The incisions are small, usually a few millimeters in size, and heal well over time. Most patients have minimal scarring that fades significantly within a few months.

Patients can typically resume driving within 2–4 weeks, depending on which foot was operated on, pain levels, and whether they can safely press the pedals without discomfort.