Ankle Arthroscopy in Kansas City

Based on the results of your interview, examination, and imaging studies, you can expect a custom care plan catered to you.

Many people believe it’s best to wait until pain becomes severe, leading them to “put off” or delay treatments like foot or ankle injuries.

If you are in constant discomfort, have shooting or stabbing pains, have limited range of motion, or an inability to perform your daily activities, let our experts determine the treatments that might be right for you.

New technologies allow patients with severe foot and ankle pain to fully recover and enjoy the benefits of a more functional, pain-free lifestyle.

Prior to surgery, you will typically receive at least 2 phone calls:

• A hospital registration representative will call to gather insurance and other personal information.
• A registered nurse will call to review your health history and medication information.

Dependent on your health history, your physician may require:

• Pre-surgical laboratory tests
• X-rays
• Primary care clearance

Pre-operative instructions will vary depending on your physician and the location of your surgery.

Always check with your physician before surgery for specific instructions.

Most physicians require that patients not eat or drink after midnight prior to surgery.

Additionally, you will need to designate a family member or friend to drive you home on the day you are released from the hospital. Surgical patients cannot drive themselves home.

If you schedule your surgery with a KCOA physician, you can expect the following on surgery day: 

• A receptionist will check you in at the hospital registration desk.
• A nurse will take you back and prepare you for surgery. They will start an IV, prepare the surgical site, and review your medical history and medications.
• Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will visit with you prior to your operation.
• The surgical team will take you to the operation suite for surgery.

Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to see inside the joint. A small tube with a camera is inserted through a minor incision, allowing the surgeon to make a more definitive diagnosis and eliminating the need for a large surgical incision.

We typically use arthroscopy to make a diagnosis when X-rays and other imaging tools do not provide answers. In many cases, KCOA physicians also use arthroscopy to treat orthopedic conditions.

During an ankle arthroscopy in Kansas City, you will remain under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes several small incisions around the ankle, so they can insert a tiny camera (arthroscope) into the joint, giving them a clear guide for the surgical instruments.

Saline-based fluid flows through the arthroscope to keep the image clear and bleeding minimal. This is quite different from an open surgery, which requires a much larger incision and longer recovery times.

After assessing the injury and condition, your surgeon will begin the repair. Ankle arthroscopy gives access to many repair options, such as removing inflamed tissue, loose bone fragments and cartilage or even releasing scar tissue that may be blocking your motion.

Repairs of ligaments, tendons and even certain fractures can be accomplished through arthroscopy as well.

After your surgery, you will remain in the recovery room before being discharged.

Our experienced clinical team will monitor you during this recovery and provide pain relief medication, if needed.

Many patients will be fit with a splint after surgery, and the amount of time in the splint depends on the severity of your procedure.

You may also be provided crutches or a walker to ensure you are able to limit the amount of force you put through the repair. Arthroscopy isn’t as invasive as normal surgeries, but it may still take from a few weeks to a few months for your ankle to fully recover.

You can expect swelling and pain in your foot and ankle for several days after surgery. With that, it’s important to keep your ankle elevated with an ice pack after surgery to reduce swelling and pain.

You will gradually regain your motion and strength with the help of a physical or occupational therapist. These experts will guide you through the proper exercises and stretches to ensure you achieve your best outcome.

We recommend regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring your blood sugar levels if you’re diabetic. In doing so, you may reduce the amount of stress on your joints to slow down any potential degenerative process.