Knee ACI Procedure, for the Ankle?

After all other treatment options for cartilage problems in the ankle have been explored, ankle ACI or autologous chondrocyte implantation, may be the procedure that will get you moving again — virtually pain-free.

Dr. Richard Ferkel, with Southern California Orthopedic Institute, is one of the few orthopedic surgeons in the country to perform the ankle ACI procedure. For nearly 10 years, Dr. Ferkel has been utilizing the procedure as a last possible treatment option when all other ankle treatment alternatives have failed.

The ankle ACI procedure is best performed on patients between the age of 15 and 55 that have already received arthroscopic surgery of the talus; but, they are still suffering from the pain of cartilage damage caused by a severe ankle sprain, fracture, or trauma related to a sports injury or auto accident.

Ankle ACI is nearly the same as a knee ACI procedure. This two part procedure first extracts healthy cartilage cells from the knee or ankle and places them into a tissue culture to allow them to multiply into millions more. After a significant amount of cells have accumulated, they are then used to repair the damaged cartilage of the ankle. Following both surgeries, extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation will begin, preparing the patient to make a full recovery and eventually return to typical sports and activities with a decreased risk of re-injury.

Due to the complexity of the procedure and the intensity of the physical therapy and rehabilitation, patients considered for the procedure are carefully chosen and closely monitored. Alternative ankle treatment options may include: OATS procedure, mosaicplasty, and the use of allografts (cadaver tissue).

If you are interested in learning more about the procedure, or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ferkel, contact Southern California Orthopedic Institute at (661) 328-5565.

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