Close Window
Print this Information

ANKLE ARTHROSCOPY WITH MICRO-FRACTURE

A flake or ding in the articular cartilage (Teflon-like coating) of the ankle or talus bone is called an osteochondritis desicans lesion or OD lesion.  This usually is a result of a trauma or injury.  When this occurs the flap of cartilage can flip in and out of place causing pain, swelling, locking, and giving way of the ankle.  A MRI is usually required to diagnose this condition.  Initially immobilization and crutches can be tried but these lesions rarely heal themselves and surgical intervention is needed.  This is done with an arthroscopy, two small incision are made on the front of your ankle.  One is for the camera and the other is for the instruments used during surgery.  During surgery the ankle joint is filled with fluid, the flap of cartilage is cut away and the bone underneath is poked with a metal pick to stimulate bleeding and healing.

This surgery is generally successful, but as with any surgery there are risks involved.  These include infection, numbness, and bleeding.  We try hard to make your surgical experience a pleasant as possible and have found the following points helpful.

  1. We use a re-circulating cold water unit called a “polar pack.”  Mark with Pacific Medical will contact you to pick this up before the surgery date.  Please bring this with you as it will be applied during surgery.  The polar pack helps to reduce swelling and decrease pain.  Turn the polar pack off every two hours for 15 minutes to prevent your foot and ankle from becoming too cold.
  2. Elevation helps with pain and swelling.  You need to elevate above your left shoulder constantly the first 72 hours and then frequently the first 10-14 days.  You will have some swelling for 6-9 months following surgery, this is normal.
  3. You will need to be on crutches the first 6 weeks following surgery.  You will need to bring crutches or a rollabout with you on the day of surgery.  There is a list of providers attached.
  4. You will be in a splint for 10-14 days following surgery and then you will be seen in the clinic.  At this appointment we will remove your stitches and place you into a CAM boot or a short leg cast for another 4 weeks.  You will have another appointment six weeks and 12 weeks following surgery.
  5. In order to minimize pain after surgery, we generally use regional anesthesia, called a popliteal block, so that you have no pain for 6-18 hours following surgery.  During this time your foot and ankle are numb and will not support you.  It is important that you start your pain pills before this block wears off, as you will have a sudden increase in pain.  We recommend that you start your pills the evening of surgery and then set your alarm clock that first night so that you take the pills around the clock, to maintain a steady level in your system.  After the first night you may then take them as needed.  Below are a list of commonly use medications and the dosages:

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call your physician's nurse at 323-2600.

 

List of Suppliers