Question
After a car accident in 2005 my right ankle was turned sideways 90 degrees with no major broken bones or torn ligaments and was snapped back in place within 24 hrs.  In 2006 I had ankle surgery that cleaned and smoothed the horizontal front - top of ankle leg bone joint (approximately located above where a shoe lace is tied) this increased my foot's range of motion from front to rear ( up - down movement).  In 2013 I have lost some of this range due to arthritis build-up in the joint restricting movement. Most noticed when walking up stairs or on an incline have to pivoted my right foot outward to walk. Arthoscopic surgery is pending to clean the joint to increase the foot range of motion. I am not in any pain. At the same time there has been discussion about loosening a tight (?) right leg calf muscle (I am an active 57 years old man, non-runner, not in pain).  Looking at three staples in my calf and two extra weeks on crutches plus PT. My question is:

What are the surgical pro's, con's as well as non-surgical alternative(s) for calf loosening surgery?   

My ankle feels tight only in front (when my foot is pivoted fully upward)  not back by my heel or the back of the leg.  I really do not want the calf muscle touched and can discipline myself with Physical Therapy and can push through pain. Please advise.  Thank you

Answer
Ward,

It sounds like you have been through a lot with this ankle.  If you are not having pain in the ankle, there is no reason to have any arthroscopic surgery.  Xrays should always being correlated with clinical findings.  If you don't have any clinical ankle pain, then surgery should not be performed.  The risks outweigh the benefits of performing surgery on a non painful joint.  I'm assuming the calf lengthening is an Achilles tendon or gastroc lengthening.  Again, no pain in the ankle, no surgery.  You can definitely increase your ankle joint range of motion with stretching the Achilles tendon with physical therapy.  I would try that before considering any surgical options.

Sincerely,
Dr. Leslie Johnston, DPM

Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry

http://www.thetampapodiatrist.com
http://tampafootandanklepain.blogspot.com/
http://www.tampacryosurgery.com
http://katzpodiatristtampa.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/TampaPodiatrist
http://www.notoenailfungus.com
http://www.vibranttampatoenails.com  
Advanced Podiatry Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000260088035