At California Pacific Orthopaedics, our team of board-certified surgeons is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions. We understand that foot and ankle pain can significantly impact your quality of life, making it difficult to perform daily activities and enjoy the things you love. That’s why we are proud to offer advanced, minimally invasive surgical options like arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery to our patients in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This page will provide you with a comprehensive overview of arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery, including what it is, why it’s performed, and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure. We believe that a well-informed patient is an empowered patient, and we are committed to providing you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your health.
Overview: A Minimally Invasive Approach to Foot and Ankle Problems
So, what exactly is arthroscopic surgery? You may have heard it called “keyhole surgery” or “minimally invasive surgery.” In simple terms, it’s a surgical technique that allows your orthopedic surgeon to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint without having to make a large incision.
The term “arthroscopy” comes from two Greek words: “arthro,” meaning “joint,” and “skopein,” meaning “to look.” During the procedure, your surgeon will make a few small incisions, each about the size of a buttonhole, around your foot or ankle. Through one of these incisions, they will insert a tiny camera called an arthroscope. This camera projects a live video feed from inside your joint onto a high-definition monitor in the operating room. This gives your surgeon a clear, magnified view of the bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons in your foot and ankle.
Through the other small incisions, your surgeon will insert specialized, pencil-thin surgical instruments. Using these instruments, they can perform a variety of procedures, such as removing damaged tissue, repairing torn ligaments, or smoothing out rough bone surfaces.
The primary benefit of arthroscopic surgery is that it is much less invasive than traditional “open” surgery, which requires a large incision. The smaller incisions used in arthroscopy often result in:
- Less pain after surgery
- A lower risk of complications, such as infection
- A faster recovery time and a quicker return to your daily activities
- Less scarring
At California Pacific Orthopaedics, our foot and ankle specialists are highly experienced in performing arthroscopic surgery for a variety of conditions. We are committed to using the least invasive techniques possible to help you find relief from your pain and get back on your feet.
Why is Arthroscopic Foot and Ankle Surgery Performed?
Arthroscopic surgery can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of foot and ankle problems. Your doctor at California Pacific Orthopaedics may recommend this procedure if you have a condition that has not responded to more conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, medication, or bracing.
Some of the most common conditions treated with arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery include:
- Ankle Arthritis: Over time, the smooth cartilage that cushions your ankle joint can wear away, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. This is known as osteoarthritis. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to remove loose pieces of cartilage and bone spurs from the joint, which can help to relieve pain and improve function.
- Ankle Instability: If you have repeatedly sprained your ankle, the ligaments that support the joint can become stretched or torn. This can lead to a feeling of “giving way” in the ankle, a condition known as chronic ankle instability. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to repair or tighten these ligaments, restoring stability to the ankle.
- Cartilage Injuries: A sudden injury, such as a severe ankle sprain, can damage the cartilage in your ankle joint. These injuries, sometimes called osteochondral defects or OCDs, can cause pain, swelling, and a catching sensation in the ankle. Arthroscopic surgery can be used to remove the damaged cartilage or to stimulate the growth of new, healthy cartilage.
- Impingement Syndromes: Ankle impingement occurs when soft tissues or bone spurs in the ankle get pinched or compressed, causing pain and limiting your range of motion. There are two main types of ankle impingement: anterior impingement (at the front of the ankle) and posterior impingement (at the back of the ankle). Arthroscopic surgery can be used to remove the tissue or bone that is causing the impingement.
- Removal of Loose Bodies: Small pieces of bone or cartilage can break off and float around in the ankle joint, causing pain, swelling, and a locking or catching sensation. These are known as loose bodies. Arthroscopic surgery is an effective way to remove these loose bodies from the joint.
- Tendon and Ligament Repair: Arthroscopy can also be used to repair torn or damaged tendons and ligaments in the foot and ankle, such as the Achilles tendon or the peroneal tendons.
If you are experiencing any of these conditions, or if you have persistent foot or ankle pain that is not improving with other treatments, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists at California Pacific Orthopaedics. We will perform a thorough evaluation, including a physical examination and imaging studies, to determine the cause of your pain and to discuss whether arthroscopic surgery is the right option for you.
What To Expect: Your Arthroscopic Surgery Journey
If you and your surgeon at California Pacific Orthopaedics decide that arthroscopic foot or ankle surgery is the best course of treatment for you, we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to prepare for your procedure and what to expect during your recovery. Here is a general overview of the process:
Before Your Procedure
- Medical Evaluation: Before your surgery, you will have a complete medical evaluation to ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure. This may include blood tests, an EKG, and a chest X-ray.
- Medications: You will need to tell your surgeon about all of the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a period of time before your surgery.
- Fasting: You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before your surgery.
- Arranging for Help: You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital and to help you out around the house for the first few days after your surgery.
During Your Procedure
- Anesthesia: Arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you will be able to go home the same day. You will be given anesthesia to ensure that you are comfortable and pain-free during the surgery. The type of anesthesia you receive will depend on your specific procedure and your overall health. It may be a general anesthetic, which puts you to sleep, or a regional anesthetic, which numbs your leg from the knee down.
- The Surgery: Once you are comfortable, your surgeon will make a few small incisions around your foot or ankle. They will then insert the arthroscope and surgical instruments and perform the necessary repairs. The entire procedure usually takes about an hour.
After Your Procedure
- Recovery Room: After your surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be monitored closely as you wake up from the anesthesia.
- Pain Management: You will likely experience some pain and discomfort after your surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help you manage this.
- Weight-Bearing: Depending on the type of procedure you had, you may need to use crutches and avoid putting weight on your foot for a period of time. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how much weight you can put on your foot and for how long.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is a crucial part of your recovery. A physical therapist will teach you exercises to help you regain your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Your Recovery and Life After Surgery
Recovery from arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery is different for everyone. It will depend on the type of procedure you had, your overall health, and how well you follow your surgeon’s instructions. However, in general, you can expect to be back to most of your normal activities within a few weeks to a few months.
It is important to be patient with yourself during your recovery and to not push yourself too hard. By following your surgeon’s and physical therapist’s instructions, you can give yourself the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
At California Pacific Orthopaedics, we are committed to supporting you every step of the way on your journey to recovery. We will work closely with you to create a personalized rehabilitation plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. Our goal is to help you get back to living a pain-free, active life.
Schedule a Consultation with Our San Francisco Foot and Ankle Experts
If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, don’t wait any longer to seek help. The team of experienced and compassionate orthopedic surgeons at California Pacific Orthopaedics is here for you. We are proud to serve the San Francisco Bay Area, and we are dedicated to providing our patients with the most advanced and effective treatments available.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you take the first step towards a healthier, more active future.
