Foot and Ankle
At Tshwane Orthopaedic Sports and Rehabilitation Centre, the team of orthopaedic surgeons have expertise in a range of surgeries of the foot and ankle for injuries and conditions where non-surgical treatment has failed. Minimally invasive arthroscopic foot and ankle surgery may be needed for damaged joints, soft tissues and ligaments to reduce pain and enhance the mobility of the ankle and foot.
Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique in which thin tube-like instruments, with a camera attached, are inserted through small puncture-like incisions. The tiny camera then allows a video display, giving the orthopaedic surgeon a view of the inner workings of the ankle. Through this, your surgeon can perform surgery and your recovery time and pain are minimised. Arthroscopic ankle surgery may be done for:
- Repair and reconstruction of ligaments and tendons
- Removal of excess scar tissue
- Trimming of damaged articular cartilage
- Removal (debridement) of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
- Treatment of conditions affecting the ankle
- Foot and ankle surgery for ligaments repair and reconstruction
Ligaments connect bones to one another to allow movement. The ligaments on either side of the ankle attach to bones to allow the ankle to bend the way it does, up and down, left and right. There are three ligaments on the outside of the ankle, called the lateral collateral ligaments (LCL), and a network of ligaments on the inner side of the ankle called the medial collateral ligaments (MCL). When injured, these ligaments can stretch and tear causing a sprain that weakens the ankle's stability. In such cases, arthroscopic ankle surgery may be required to enhance the mobility and stability of the ankle.
Surgery may be done to repair or reconstruct a ligament in the ankle through arthroscopic techniques. If the ligament is damaged, they can be repaired by tightening the stretched ligament and placing it back into position. In some cases, a small anchor may be used to attach the ligaments into the bone. In cases where the ligament is torn, a reconstruction may be needed. This involves harvesting a tendon to replace the damaged ligament. By routing the tendon through the bones of the ankle, the ankle can be reinforced and stabilised. - Tendinopathy treatment
Tendons are strong, cord-like structures that hold the ankle in place in addition to ligaments. The most common foot and ankle pain is caused by tendonitis, which is the inflammation of the tendon. Tendonitis commonly occurs in the Achilles tendonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, peroneal tendinosis, flexor tendonitis, and extensor tendonitis. Treatment commonly involved ice and rest or ankle debridement surgery. This surgery may be done arthroscopically to flush out loose fragments in the tendon area and then remove part of the weakened or damaged tendon tissue and reattach the healthy ends to one another.
Orthopaedic Surgeons
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