Ankle arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy is a type of keyhole surgery used to look inside the ankle joint and treat causes of pain, stiffness or restricted movement.
Ankle arthroscopy overview
An ankle arthroscopy allows your surgeon to examine the inside of the joint using a small camera. It may be used to remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage, treat damaged joint surfaces, clear inflamed tissue or relieve pinching at the front or back of the ankle. Because it uses small cuts, recovery is often quicker than with open surgery. However, your individual recovery will depend on what is treated during the procedure.
How is surgery carried out?
The procedure is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic as day-case surgery. Your surgeon makes two or more small cuts around the ankle. A tiny camera is passed through one opening and fine surgical instruments through another.
The camera displays the inside of your ankle on a screen, allowing your surgeon to assess the joint and carry out the planned treatment.
Are there any risks?
Complications are uncommon, but can include:
- Infection
- Bleeding or swelling
- Damage to nearby nerves, causing numbness or tingling
- A blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT)
- Ankle stiffness or ongoing pain
- The need for further treatment or surgery
Your specialist will discuss the risks that relate to your procedure with you.
Recovery from ankle arthroscopy
Rest and wound healing
Keep your dressings dry and raise your foot regularly. Follow your specialist’s advice about putting weight through the ankle and using crutches.
Restoring movement
Your wounds will be checked and any stitches removed. You will gradually increase walking and begin exercises to improve ankle movement and strength.
Building activity
Many people return to most everyday activities during this stage. More demanding exercise may take longer, particularly if the procedure involved cartilage repair.
Working with foot and ankle professionals and teams
Our foot and ankle specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their feet and ankles. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Foot and Ankle treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Ankle arthroscopy FAQs
You can consider driving once you are no longer using a boot or crutches and can perform an emergency stop comfortably and safely. Ask your specialist for advice and check with your vehicle insurer before driving.
You may be able to return to desk-based work after one to two weeks, depending on pain, swelling and travel. If your job involves prolonged standing, walking or physical work, you may need longer.
This depends on what was treated. Some people return to lower-impact exercise within several weeks, while cartilage procedures may require a longer rehabilitation period. Your specialist or physiotherapist will guide you.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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