anterior ankle endoscopy

[bikesian65]

Hi all

I have been struggling with a persistent ankle injury since January - its an inpingement problem ( no running for the last 8 weeks and a very reduced milage before that[ i.e down to 3-5 miles a week frm about 20] ). I have finally seen an ankle specialist and an operation is anticipated in August.

Has any one here had an ' anterior ankle endoscopy' - whats the typical recovery time?

I am hoping to be able to start running again in autum/winter

Any feedback gratefully received

Ian

[GeoffB]

'Anterior' - that's at the front, right? I had an ankle arthroscopy 10 weeks ago to remove bone spurs at the front of the joint and 'tidy up' worn down cartilege in the ankle joint. I thought I'd be back running by now, but recovery's taking much longer than I expected. However, the consultant is quite happy that things are going ok. (He assures me I'll be back running the same as before the op.)

I can do gentle cycling (for an hour or so) and walk 2 or 3 miles with slight discomfort. My physio recently recommended getting a 'Jogger Trampoline' (£20 from Argos) which I've used a couple of times. This is pretty good as it allows me to do a running action with very little impact.

I think mine is a pretty extreme case, and I'm sure you'll be back running pretty soon. Good luck with it

[Tussockface]

' I had an ankle arthroscopy 10 weeks ago to remove bone spurs at the front of the joint and 'tidy up' worn down cartilege in the ankle joint. I thought I'd be back running by now, but recovery's taking much longer than I expected.

I had that operation 15 years ago. Recovery took me much longer than expected too. After 12-18 months I was starting to lose hope altogether. I guess it partly depends on how much 'tidying up' the consultant has had to do, though; I think my ankle was a bit of a battle site after years of sprains.

Bikesian, I don't want to depress you but the biomechanics of the leg/foot/ankle are complex and you never know how one thing is going to affect another. You might be lucky and have a short recuperation time, but then again you might not. I don't think it's easy to predict.

You know when you read online reviews of a product or a hotel, and 8 people give 5 stars and a glowing report and 2 people give it one star and describe it as the worst experience of their life? I think it's a bit like that. There are other factors to consider too, such as the effect of not having the operation. My own experience wasn't brilliant: 2 stars perhaps. But on the other hand, if I hadn't had the operation, loose fragments of bone might have continued to shred my cartilege and I might not be able to run now. If knew for certain that that would have been the outcome, I might give 5 stars to the arthroscopy after all.

[bikesian65]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the response, anteriour is the front of the joint

My injury probably is not too bad - if I keep up on my toes I am ok, after about 3 miles ( off road hilly terrain) my calves get tired and then when I dorsiflex its sufficienty painful to make me go lame . I only run off road ( I am lucky and live bwetwen Dartmoor and Bodmin moors)

The consultant told me I can continue to run ( I stopped as I wanted my ankle to be as good as it could be before the examination) but stop if/when it hurts - but unfortuantly I now have it it in my mind that my ankles damaged! - I will try a litle jog this weekend

Now I have a way forward I am reasonable happy but am concerned with the loss of fitness ( I will be starting from square 1 I think) -has anyone in this situation tried cycling to maintain fitness whilst recovering?

[GeoffB]

Cycling is a pretty good option whilst recovering. I started after about 4 or 5 weeks with a friend's static bike/turbo trainer thingy. This was boring in the extreme - probably worse than road-running. Thankfully I'm riding properly now, but I stick to roads/canal towpaths etc. as any jarring on the foot is still quite painful. I'm pretty comfortable cycling for an hour at a time now, but still not running.

Swimming is also a good way to maintain fitness. Basically anything that is low impact is what you want.

[bikesian65]

Well I have had the operation last week - the surgeon removed a large lump of bone from my ankle joint - the rest of the joint was in good condition so I am hoping that the recovery will be quite straigntforward

I was advised to use crutches and weight bear as pain allowed - I have had very little pain and could limp around the house with out crutches after 3 days - the worst pain I have had is the maddening itch where the stiches are

The surgeon advised no running for at least 2 - 3 months ( it takes that long to get over the operation apparently) - I am hoping to be out walking after the stiches come out ( next week)

Hopefully I am on the road to recovery!

[Tussockface]

Positive news that the joint was in good condition. Here's to a speedy recovery!

[bikesian65]

Now at 8 weeks since the operation and tried a small jog today up on the hills ( Bodmin moor - not a cloud in the sky - wonderful) - my god have I lost my fitness - managed 200m up a small hill and was gasping for breath!

Ankle was a bit tender ( a few twinges) as was my calf - all a bit tight - I think that my recovery will involve walking with the odd bit of gentle running in between with the emphasis on listening to what my ankle is telling me (i.e that's enough for today)

I never realised how much I enjoyed running until I was forced to stop - So I will be taking it easy and building back up slowly so as to make the recovery permanent.

I think that a new bike is on the cards to work on the fitness