Footballer's ankle - anyone here got it?

sturge8
sturge8 Member Posts: 164
edited 12. May 2010, 07:25 in Living with Arthritis archive
My x-ray shows bone spurs at the ankle joint and OA change. I am finding the spurs are getting in the way. They occasionally trap nerves which hurts and they are restricting my ankle movement. Has anyone had an ankle arthroscopy?

Comments

  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ok, my consultant is washing out the joint, getting rid of them pesky bone spurs. From the xray he says I don't have OA. However I am confused as apart from the spurs, I have noticeable bone thickening on either side of the ankle joint and I get quite a bit of jip from inside the joint. Can he of been to quick to say I don't have OA as well, is there a chance it may not progress much further? Has anyone had an ankle wash out? How long is recovery?
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,881
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oooh Sturge :shock:

    I know nothing!! but it sounds a bit scary, but also makes sense if it gets rid of teh bits that cause teh pain and affect movement.

    Hope you get someone on later who knows a bit more than me....shouldnt be too hard :oops:

    when you having it done?

    Toni xx
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    April 20th, I need to drive to work and I have no idea how long recovery is. No one at the hospital has told me.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sturge

    I had a quick look on the internet and it was interesting.
    Generally you should be comfortable and safe to drive at one week following your ankle arthroscopy as long as you are permitted to weight bear. You will be back to walking at 1-2 days following your ankle arthroscopy. This will be without use of a crutch. Any sporting activity is best left for at least two weeks following the procedure. Realistically, things can be built up from two weeks post-operatively but will probably take in excess of four weeks before more vigorous sporting activity will be possible.

    Naturally, as everyone recovers differently these timings may well vary.

    Hopefully you will be told more if you attend a pre op assessment appointment.

    All the best
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yes
    Make sure you get all the info you need pre-op as you will need to organise everything, work, care at home(even if only a day) and time off work.
    I hope everything goes well for you and you are back playing football soon.
    Take care
    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My arthritic big toe has put a stop to the football. The ankle is just another injury picked up by the sport I love.

    Is there anyone with any good ankle arthritis knowledge.

    I just can't stop thinking my 'arthritic change' which has showed up on xrays will lead to severe arthritis later in life?
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ankle fatigue on the inside left is troubling me. It is really getting me down. Is this yet another symptom which could be signaling that I have arthritis and more wear and tear than my consultant thinks?
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    my keyhole ankle op is 20th april, i hope afterwards my consultant will then be able to tell me how bad it really is.
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    He showed me the pictures of the joint which he took with the camera. He shaved the bone spurs away and scar tissue. He said the worrying thing which he found was a groove in the fibro cartilage. He said it was not deep, he shaved scar tissue from this area and hopes it will now regrow and fully heal. My question is: How can this cartilage heal, i thought cartilage doesn't repair? Can anyone explain?
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,881
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sturge

    So it'a ll done then?

    How are you recovering? Did you have much pain?

    I dont know about cartilidge...I thought the same as you.

    Anyone else know??

    Love

    Toni xx
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am surprisingly ok. My consultant says I have healed very well. Pain levels weren't that bad. My friend who sells hips and knees, did also say this fibro cartilage heals as well. But he didn't explain how or why.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,881
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi sturge

    I am glad you are ok and that you weren't in too much pain. Helpful for anyone who has to have it done in the future.


    Must be true about teh cartilidge then....will you have further xrays/scans to check this??

    Thanks Toni xx
  • sturge8
    sturge8 Member Posts: 164
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    He said the groove in the cartilage before the operation did not show up in the xray, so asking for another xray wouldn't help me, instead do you think a mri would be of more help? I go back to visit him in three months, shall I ask for one then?
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,881
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ah Yes Sturge

    You're right soft tissue doen't show in xrays...MRI would be better.

    No harm in asking is there?

    You'd want to know if it IS growing back and i expect he would too.

    Love

    Toni xx