Should Ankle Operated On - With A View To Correcting The Coalesced Bone?

Posted on Mon, 28 Aug 2023

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 Answered on

Fri, 17 May 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : XXXXXXX is a healthy 15 year old athletic boy. He has limited lateral movement on his left ankle and this causes him pain/discomfort when playing soccer. While he does not intend to become a professional athlete, he loves playing soccer at a reasonable competitive level and finds this increasingly challenging. He recently had his left ankle X rayed. Question: should he have his ankle operated on - with a view to correcting the coalesced (is it?) bone - or not? Will the issue correct itself? If not, do the risks associated with surgery outweigh the potential benefit?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,

Thanks for the query. I have read your query and attached report. X-ray mentions that there is no coalition which is abnormal fusion of foot bones that can cause frequent ankle sprains.

However if the abnormal fusion is not bone but rather cartilage or fibrous connection then it cannot be spotted on an X-ray. I suggest getting an MRI of the foot as this can spot coalition if it’s fibrous or cartilage fusion.

I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Thanking you.

Kind regards,

Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T