Typically, people are required not to eat or drink for about six hours before a general anaesthetic. However, some anaesthetists allow a few sips of water with preoperative medication if required.
Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, a small incision ( around 5 mm long) is made in the skin around the joint that is being treated. After the camera is inserted, saline is pumped in under pressure to expand the joint and to help control bleeding. Some surgeons also use a tourniquet to prevent bleeding, but this can obscure the picture on the monitor.
After looking around the entire ankle for problem areas, the surgeon will make from one to four other small incisions to insert other instruments with which the surgery is performed. Commonly used instruments include a blunt hook to pull on various tissues, a shaver to remove damaged or unwanted soft tissues, and a burr to remove bone.
At the completion of the surgery, the fluid is drained from the ankle, the incisions are closed, and a dressing applied. Many surgeons take pictures of the procedure from the video monitor to allow the patient to see what was done. |
