Ankle Arthroscopy in Houston
How matter how healthy your legs and feet may be, a problematic ankle can render you effectively lame. The collection of bones and soft tissue that make up the ankles must bear your full weight while also freeing you to walk, run, or jump. If a painful ankle problem has led to loss of function or stability, ankle arthroscopy in Houston can literally get you back on your feet again.
As a minimally-invasive procedure, ankle arthroscopy holds several advantages over open surgery. When you’re able to choose this surgical option as opposed to traditional, surgery, you’ll appreciate the following benetis:
- Less postoperative pain.
- Less bleeding and scarring.
- Reduced risk of postoperative infections (due to the smaller incisions).
- Speedier recovery time.
What Is Ankle Arthroscopy?
Ankle arthroscopy is a technique for viewing and repairing internal joint structures that does as little additional damage as possible to the surrounding healthy tissues. Instead of opening up the joint with a major incision, the surgeon does all the diagnostic and surgical work through a few tiny openings with the aid of specialized tools. Unlike traditional surgery, which typically requires a hospital stay, arthroscopic surgery usually allows you to go home the same day.
After administering either regional or general anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small cut at the ankle and inserts an elongated, camera-equipped tool called arthroscope to see inside the joint. Once the trouble has been visually identified on a video monitor, long, thin surgical instruments work on the area in need of treatment through the other cuts in the skin.
Conditions Treated With Ankle Arthroscopy
Many common ankle injuries and disorders can respond well to an ankle arthroscopy surgery. Examples include:
- Ankle impingement – Swollen, inflamed ankle tissues can cause ankle stiffness and sometimes lead to bone spurs in the joint.
- Ankle instability – repeated injuries or congenital defects can leave you with deformations in the ankle joint that make the joint unstable.
- Ankle fractures and sprains – A fractured bone or torn ligament in the ankle may require surgical repair before you can enjoy optimal healing.
- Ankle arthritis – Arthritis commonly leaves loose bits of cartilage in the ankle joint that interfere with normal, comfortable motion.
- Ankle infections – When antibiotics alone can’t conquer an infection in the ankle joint, arthroscopy can clean and sterilize the joint.
- Ankle arthroscopy doesn’t just treat ankle problems; it also helps surgeons diagnose them. That’s why orthopedic surgeons often use it as an exploratory procedure.
Benefits of Ankle Arthroscopy
As noted above, ankle arthroscopy surgery can help you heal more quickly and comfortably than conventional ankle surgery. Meanwhile, the ability to see the damage directly helps the surgeon make a more accurate diagnosis and perform more precise work. Once the surgeon has cleared away loose debris and repaired or modified the tissues, physical therapy should help you regain full function in the ankle, enabling you to live your preferred lifestyle again.
Let NW Surgery Help You
NW Surgery is happy to serve as your trusted ankle arthroscopy resource. We have decades of experience connecting patients with Houston’s finest orthopedic surgeons and pain management experts. We can help you schedule minimally-invasive ankle, foot, elbow, shoulder, knee, and even spinal procedures.
No-Insurance Surgery Providers in Houston
If you thought state-of-the-art surgery required health insurance, think again. NW surgery has instituted a no-insurance plan featuring direct pay options for many common surgical procedures, including ankle arthroscopy.
Now you can pay a single, competitive price for your procedure, easing financial and emotional stress while granting you access to the care you need. This easier access to care can even serve a preventative health and wellness purpose by enabling you to seek treatment for a problem early, when you’re likely to need less treatment and before the condition can grow totally debilitating.
Schedule an Ankle Arthroscopy Consultation
As you can see, ankle arthroscopy offers a minimally-invasive option for effective diagnosis and treatment of many ankle issues. Don’t limp through life with a bad ankle when a simple outpatient procedure can help you feel and function better. If you wonder whether ankle arthroscopy in Houston makes sense for you, contact NW Surgery today so we can help you schedule a consultation with a leading orthopedic surgeon.