Ankle Arthroscopy and Microfracture Surgery

Ankle Arthroscopy and Microfracture Surgery Information Sheet

What is Ankle Arthroscopy and Microfracture Surgery?

  • The surgery involves looking inside the ankle with a camera (see Ankle Arthroscopy) and identifying the osteochondral defect (OCD).
  • The OCD is then drilled to encourage blood flow, and a specialised gel substance is injected to encourage cartilage formation.
MRI scan showing an osteochondral defect of the talus

The Hospital Stay

  • You wake up with bulky bandages and a boot or a half plaster.
  • You will stay in hospital overnight, with your foot elevated and you have will have antibiotics through a drip.
  • You will blood thinners to prevent DVT and vitamin C to help with wound healing and pain management.
  • You will be only allowed to touch your foot to the ground for 6 weeks.
  • Depending on your balance and strength, you may need rehabilitation post operatively.
  • Buying a second hand knee scooter pre operatively (can search online) and practicing at home before the surgery, can be helpful; please bring it into the hospital with you. It is easier to use a knee scooter than crutches.


When You Go Home

  • You will need medications for pain relief
  • You will need to take antibiotics until the wound heals
  • You will need blood thinners and vitamin C daily for 6-8 weeks
  • Please leave all dressings intact until your post op appointment
  • You will get an appointment for your post op appointment in 2-3 weeks where the dressings will be taken down
  • After this you will be able to shower normally and pat the dressings dry


Rehabilitation

ALL patients are different. These timelines are only a guide, and some patients may progress faster or slower than others.


0-3 weeks

  • You will be in a boot
  • You will only be allowed to touch your foot to the ground for balance.
  • Elevate your foot on 3 pillows most of day
  • You will need to bag the leg for showers
  • Pain relief: Please take regular paracetamol with meals and before bed; you may need stronger pain killers as well, especially before bed
  • Please take antibiotics, blood thinners and vitamin C as prescribed


3-8 weeks

  • Post op appointment for a wound check
  • You will then go back into the boot but can remove it for seated showering, sleeping and physiotherapy
  • Physio for isometric calf strengthening, hip and knee strengthening and leg lifts, and active range of movement with physiotherapy


8-12 weeks

  • Post op appointment to assess range of motion
  • You can weightbear as tolerated in the boot
  • Physiotherapy for active and passive plantarflexion and dorsiflexion and static strengthening


12 weeks

  • You can wear normal shoes if you are able to fit into them (you may still have swelling)
  • You can increase to all strengthening (but no jumping/landing/twisting) with physiotherapy


6 months

  • Continue strengthening and range of motion with physiotherapy
  • Light jogging can commence if there is minimal pain


12-18 months

  • When the leg feels back to normal and the same as the other leg, you can start sport specific training


When Can I Return To Work/School?

  • Seated work 8-12 weeks
  • Prolonged standing 3-6 months
  • Heavy labour work 9-12 months


When Can I Return To Sport?

  • Start sport specific training at 9-12 months
  • Return to sport when leg same as the other side


When Can I Drive?

  • Left foot 2-3 weeks (if driving an automatic)
  • Right foot 6-8 weeks


Ankle Arthroscopy and Microfracture Surgery Risks

  • Anaesthetic problems
  • Nerve injury
  • Blood clots
  • Infection
  • Stiffness
  • Malunion or nonunion
  • Ongoing pain including chronic regional pain
  • syndrome
  • Further surgery
  • Future ostetoarthritis


Contact Us

If you want more information or have any questions or problems, please contact Dr Graff at admin@christygraff.com or call the rooms at 0493 461 133.