Ankle Arthroscopy Recovery/Rehab

[Hopalong80]

Hi There,

I am hoping someone could help a little please, this site has been great over the last 2 years since breaking my ankle.
Quick background on my injury.... Bimalleolar Ankle Fracture Aug 09 treated with ORIF. Ongoing pain so metal work removed November 10.

Due to ongoing pain I had an Ankle Arthroscopy 2 weeks ago to see what was causing the pain in my ankle as X-rays had come back OK.
Had my post-op appointment with the consultant today who has said hes pleased with the healing and amount of swelling etc.... He has said that it was a difficult operation as just gaining access to the ankle joint was difficult due to the amount of scar tissue present in the joint. He actually said he could have spent 5 hrs just cleaning it up! I asked if the ligaments were affected and he said there was quite alot of scar tissue over them. I also have some cartilage damage, I find it hard understanding what it all means as he is not very forthcoming with info.
He was very guarded about any prognosis and has said that the cartilage damage could possibly turn into arthritis and the scar tissue could possibly grow back and there is nothing much I can do. They did tell me that nothing was guaranteed after having this op. I have been told a few times that my ankle will never be the same with previous sprains and my ankle giving way on top of the fracture. Have been left feeling a bit down about it all today.

So my questions really are what would be the normal recovery time with this sort of operation? I am still in pain using one crutch and ROM is limted at the moment.
Is it worth me having ultrasound on my ankle to help with the scar tissue build up? (the consultant seems to think that this would be futile and wouldnt help?)
Is there anything else I can do to give my ankle the best chance of a good recovery?

Thanks in advance

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[physiobob]

Hi there and thanks for your compliment of the forum. We're glad to assist when we can. As for your recent OP you are really looking at connective issue recovery after cutting and cleaning (unless the surgeon did something else). I should expect 4-6 weeks to be feeling hopefully better than prior to surgery. It he didn't play with any important structures and ligaments directly then this may be sooner.

I tend to agree that ultrasound isn't going to do much. It all the metal is out of the joint some interferrential etc may assist to desensitize the area and perhaps stimulate a little faster recovery. I'd have thought you'd be off the crutches within a week to 10 days so you are being a little slow there. Maybe that's due to not being sure of how much and how soon.

Get to a PT for a one off plan for the next 3-6 weeks and then have a review then. In terms of arthritis well that's not going to change with a cleanup. Any original joint articular surface damage could lead to that earlier in life. Good thing is science is leaping ahead and you'll probably get a new cartilage surface via some stem cell research well before you need worry about it.