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Osteophytes
Also known as bone spurs, these are lumps that form on the bones as a result of arthritis. These bony protrusions can cause problems in the joints, affecting movement and causing impingement in the soft tissue.
What is it?
When bone is damaged, the bone cells sometimes over-compensate and create extra bone. This can result in lumps forming on the bone, called bone spurs or osteophytes. They are especially common in osteoarthritis, a disease that causes the bones of the joints to wear away.
The bony protrusions can cause problems in the joints - affecting movement and causing impingement in the soft tissue.
How does it feel?
If the osteophytes are pinching the soft tissue, you are likely to feel pain and stiffness, which usually increases during and after activity. You might find that you don´t have full range of movement, if the bone spurs are inhibiting the hinging action of the ankle. There is likely to be some inflammation in the joint, especially after activity.
Diagnosis
An x-ray will be used to determine the extent of the malformation of the bones in the joint. An MRI scan may be used to assess any cartilage or other soft tissue damage.
Surgery
Using arthroscopic surgery, the surgeon will scrape, burr or laser away the protrusions (depending on their size and number). If any of the surrounding soft tissue has been damaged as a result of impingement, it will be removed or repaired.
Recovery
After two days resting and icing the ankle, you will commence early physiotherapy. Full recovery is normally expected six weeks after the surgery.
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