Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure during which the internal structure of a joint is examined for diagnosis and treatment of problems inside the joint. Ankle Arthroscopy includes the diagnosis and treatment of ankle conditions, including cartilage injuries, anterior and posterior ankle soft tissue/bony impingement, and ligament injuries. In arthroscopic examination, a small incision is made in the patient’s skin through which pencil-sized instruments that have a small lens and lighting system (arthroscopy) are passed. Arthroscopy magnifies and illuminates the structures of the joint with the light that is transmitted through fiber optics. It is attached to a camera and the interior of the joint is then visualized by the surgeon on a large monitor.
Find out more about Ankle Arthroscopy with the following links.
Achilles ruptures can occur from a variety of mechanisms, but frequently happen with an eccentric contraction of the gastrocsoleus musculature as an athlete quickly changes directions. While non-operative treatment is sometimes pursued in patients who are high-risk surgical candidates, frequently patients pursue surgical repair. Historically, operative treatment has been performed with an extended open incision, but due to the potential of wound healing complications and infection other less invasive options have been developed. Dr. McCullough currently performs mini-open repair of most non-insertional achilles ruptures and has published a study on the early success of this technique in NFL athletes.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25785466
For more detailed information, please refer to Dr. McCullough's lecture on updates to achilles pathology management at the 2019 Annual PAOS Conference at this link: Current Trends in Achilles Rupture Management
For more information on the mini-open Percutaneous Achilles Repair System(PARS) technique, you can view a demonstration of the procedure at this link: www.arthrex.com
Find out more about Achilles rupture treatment with the following links.
Find out more about Achilles Repair (Mini-Open) with the following link.
Sports injuries occur when playing indoor or outdoor sports or while exercising. Sports injuries can result from accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises. Foot and ankle injuries include the injuries in the leg below the knee and they are common while playing sports, particularly in cleated athletes. These injuries can include acute ankle/foot fractures, stress fractures (e.g. 5th metatarsal/Jones fractures, navicular fractures), tendon ruptures (e.g., achilles, peroneal, etc), ankle ligament sprains (medial, lateral, high ankle), cartilage injuries to the talus and distal tibia, midfoot sprains (Lisfranc injury), and turf toe injuries.
Find out more about Treatment of Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries with the following links.
Arthritis is inflammation resulting from the degeneration of cartilage in the joint causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints resulting in restricted movements. Arthritis of the foot and ankle joint can occur due to fracture, dislocation, inflammatory disease, or congenital deformity.
Find out more about Ankle Arthritis with the following links.
Total ankle arthroplasty (total ankle replacement) surgery is used to treat the pain and immobility of severe end stage arthritis that has not responded to non-surgical treatments. The goal of ankle joint replacement surgery is to eliminate your pain and increase the mobility of your ankle joint.
Find out more about Total Ankle Arthroplasty with the following links.