Combined posterior and anterior ankle arthroscopy for treating posterior and anterior ankle impingement syndrome - A non-distraction technique with rapid switching position

Ankle arthroscopy has recently allowed the elaboration of less invasive techniques for the treatment of anterior impingement. Its indications, advantages, and drawbacks in this application are discussed. Between 1987 and 1994, 133 patients were treated for ankle impingement. Among them, 58 patients, 37 men and 21 women (mean age, 28.5 years), who had failed a trial of conservative treatment were treated by means of tibiotalar arthroscopy. Twenty-seven were athletes engaged in sports with abnormal stressing of the ankle. According to McDermott's radiological classification, there were 15 stage I cases, 23 stage II, 13 stage III, and 7 stage IV. Preoperative evaluation with a modified version of McGuire's scoring system gave 50 cases rated as “poor” (<60 points) and 8 cases rated as “fair” (60–67 points). Treatment consisted of removal of adhesions, cartilage shaving, and removal of the bone impingement with powered instruments, curettes, or small osteotomes. Follow-up was from 8 to 62 months (mean, 21.5 months). The postoperative McGuire ratings were 37 good, 13 fair, and 8 poor. There were no major complications. Recurrence of impingement was observed in four cases of stage III and IV. The conclusion is drawn that ankle arthroscopy is a sound method for the treatment of anterior impingement. Even in cases with severe joint cartilage impairment, it plays a therapeutic role as a means of postponing a possible arthrodesis.

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Arthroscopic Treatment of Anterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome in Dancers

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/107110070502601102 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 26 (11) ◽

pp. 908-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Aneel Nihal ◽

Donald J. Rose ◽

Elly Trepman

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Soft Tissues ◽

Case Series ◽

Scar Tissue ◽

Nonoperative Treatment ◽

Impingement Syndrome ◽

Arthroscopic Treatment ◽

Dance Performance ◽

Ankle Impingement ◽

Anterior Ankle Impingement

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of arthroscopic treatment of anterior bony and soft-tissue impingement of the ankle in elite dancers. Methods: The study is a case series retrospectively reviewed. In the period between 1990 and 1999, 11 elite dancers (12 ankles) had ankle arthroscopy after a diagnosis of anterior ankle impingement that markedly interfered with their dancing. Initial nonoperative treatment failed in all subjects. Previous ankle trauma was noted in all subjects. There were seven women and four men (average age 28 years). Tibiotalar exostoses were radiographically noted in six ankles. Standard anteromedial and anterolateral arthroscopic portals and instrumentation were used for resection of bone spurs and debridement of impinging soft tissues. Patients were nonweightbearing for 5 days after surgery and had postoperative physiotherapy. Results: Nine dancers returned to full dance activity at an average of 7 weeks after surgery. One patient did not return to dance performance because of concurrent unrelated orthopaedic problems, but he resumed work as a dance teacher; he developed a recurrent anterior tibial spur that was successfully resected at a second arthroscopy 9 years later. Another dancer developed postoperative scar-tissue impingement and stiffness; she had a repeat arthroscopy 4 months after the initial procedure and subsequently returned to dance performance. All patients eventually had marked postoperative improvement in pain relief and dance performance. Conclusions: Arthroscopic debridement is an effective method for the treatment of bony and soft-tissue anterior ankle impingement syndrome in dancers and has minimal morbidity.

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