More to the Outcome

The end is here! After 5 and a half months, I am officially cleared to get back on the soccer field. Once I arrived home from seeing my doctor, I decided to do some research on the typical results from my specific procedure. After typing in "Broström procedure" in my google search bar, I came across its Wikipedia entry. Scrolling past all of the boring details concerning the medical process, I ended up at the "Outcome" sub header.

It read...

Those who have had this procedure done are expected to have a stronger ankle, meaning their ankle will no longer give out on them. It is estimated that most patients who have this procedure experience restored stability. Success can be achieved regardless how soon the ankle is repaired after a patient's ankle instability issues occur, but the results are slightly better when the surgery is performed sooner. According to another study, most patients reported good to excellent results. Their ankles felt stable, and after they completely recovered, they noticed improved stability and significant restoration of function. Any pre-existing arthritis stage in upper or lower ankle joints will not be changed through this procedure and may act as fact in decision making of pros and cons.

While many of these facts proved accurate, I noticed it failed to address any possible soreness and swelling. My surgery had succeeded with flying colors, but my ankle still swells and definitely gets sore after a long day at the gym. Patients and interested readers should be warned of the other potential outcomes not mentioned in the entry above. So, it led me to make some additions to the Wikipedia page.

It now reads...

Those who have had this procedure done are expected to have a stronger ankle, meaning their ankle will no longer give out on them. It is estimated that most patients who have this procedure experience restored stability. Success can be achieved regardless how soon the ankle is repaired after a patient's ankle instability issues occur, but the results are slightly better when the surgery is performed sooner. According to another study, most patients reported good to excellent results. Their ankles felt stable, and after they completely recovered, they noticed improved stability and significant restoration of function. However, patients may still experience temporary soreness in the ankle upon returning to sports or other physical activity. Swelling may also occur after exercise. In which case, doctors recommend continually icing even after full recovery from the procedure. Any pre-existing arthritis stage in upper or lower ankle joints will not be changed through this procedure and may act as fact in decision making of pros and cons.

Even after extremely successful surgical procedures, there are always additional, and sometimes negative, side effects. Therefore, do not be alarmed if your ankle gets sore after a run or swells after a day at practice. It is simply a small, temporary side effect from the very invasive procedure.