scholarly journals Role of Arthroscopy in Ankle Fracture Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11_suppl6) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0045
Author(s):  
Jae Hoon Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Postoperative Outcome ◽  
Persistent Pain ◽  
Ankle Arthroscopy ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Syndesmosis Injury ◽  
Poor Outcomes

The ankle arthroscopy is widely used as an essential tool for the various ankle disorders. The use of arthroscopy has also been tried for the treatment of acute ankle fractures, in the hope of improving the postoperative outcome. It was initially thought that the properly reduced ankle fractures had generally acceptable outcomes, with a reported rate of 81% good to excellent results. However further investigation and longer term follow-up has shown more mixed and less encouraging results. Some patients have persistent pain and poor outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), although the cause of poor outcome is not clearly understood. It may be secondary to intra-articular injuries at the time of fracture, which occur in up to 88% of fractures. Ankle arthroscopy at the time of ORIF has been proposed to address these intraarticular injuries. Arthroscopy-assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for syndesmosis injury has been performed as well by some surgeons. However the effectiveness of true arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation compared with ORIF for ankle fractures has yet to be determined, in spite of the advantages such as limited exposure, preservation of blood supply, and improved visualization of the pathology. Postoperative chronic pain and arthrofibrosis after ankle fracture are another good indication for ankle arthroscopy, which can be performed at the time of implant removal. In conclusion, the ankle arthroscopy is a safe adjunctive procedure for the treatment of ankle fractures. It can be performed as well for the evaluation and management of syndesmotic injury, and for persistent pain following the definitive treatment of ankle fractures.

scholarly journals Clinical Significance of Ankle Arthroscopy in the Diagnosis of Type B Ankle Fracture Associated with the Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0035
Author(s):  
Huang Qiang ◽  
Xu Xiangyang
Keyword(s):  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Ankle Arthroscopy ◽  
Tibiofibular Syndesmosis ◽  
Type B ◽  
Rotation Test ◽  
Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis ◽  
Syndesmosis Injury ◽  
Mri Diagnosis

Category: Arthroscopy, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: To investigate clinical significance of ankle arthroscopy in the diagnosis of type B ankle fracture associated with the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. Methods: From February 2014 to December 2016, the authors diagnosed and treated 35 cases of type B ankle fractures. including 23 males and 12 females; with an average age of (43.05±12.480) years. Each patient underwent preoperative assessment: according to the patient’s clinical manifestations and imaging examination, and before the operation and after internal fixation of ankle fracture, the Cotton test and the external rotation test were done in the C arm X-ray, the initial diagnosis whether there is the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. When the Cotton test and the external rotation test was used, Ankle arthroscopy was used to observe and evaluate whether there is the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. For patients with the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, In addition to the internal fixation of the ankle fracture, the TightRope was used to repair the injury. And observation of repair effect by ankle arthroscopy. Results: After internal fixation of ankle fracture, the Cotton test and the external rotation test was performed under the C arm X-ray, there were no the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury in 22 patients. Preoperative CT showed 6 cases of combined the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, Preoperative MRI showed 13 cases of combined the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. Ankle arthroscopy confirmed 11 cases of combined the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. The sensitivity of ankle arthroscopy and MRI diagnosis combined with the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury was higher than that of CT sensitivity(P<0.05). The sensitivity of ankle arthroscopy for the diagnosis of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury was weaker than that of MRI in the diagnosis of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury (P<0.05). MRI diagnosis of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury can be false positive. Conclusion: Ankle arthroscopy can directly observe the medial triangle ligament of the ankle, the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, which provides the basis for correct diagnosis and treatment of Type B ankle fracture with the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. And it can evaluate the stability of ankle after repairing the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.

scholarly journals Findings of Routine Diagnostic Ankle Arthroscopy for Management of AO 44-C Fibular Fractures

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0001
Author(s):  
Daniel Dean ◽  
Francis McGuigan ◽  
Nicholas Casscells
Keyword(s):  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Open Reduction ◽  
Case Series ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ankle Arthroscopy ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
Loose Bodies ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Articular Damage

Category: Ankle, Arthroscopy, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: High fibula fractures, including Maisonneuve and Weber type C fractures are commonly associated with syndesmotic injuries resulting in subluxation and dislocation of the ankle. These injuries to the joint are rarely evaluated or addressed during operative fixation, which generally consists of open reduction internal fixation of the fibula with or without fixation of the syndesmosis. Chondral lesions and loose bodies in ankle fractures may predict a poor result and can be addressed using arthroscopy to avoid exacerbating articular damage. The purpose of this study is to identify the frequency and severity of articular pathology in Weber C and Maisonneuve fibula fractures. Methods: A single surgeon case series of operatively managed ankle fractures with arthroscopic assessment from 2011-2015 was retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were patients with AO 44-C ankle fractures who were aged >17 and underwent arthroscopic assessment of the ankle joint prior to open reduction and internal fixation. Patients were excluded from the series if they presented <2 weeks from the time of injury, had a pilon variant, or had incomplete medical records available. Demographic information on the patients including age, sex, and BMI were collected. Information on mechanism of injury was recorded. Operative reports were reviewed and the presence of chondral injury and loose bodies was recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed on the collected data. Results: 18 patients (12 male, 6 female) with a mean age of 38.3 years (range 17-61; SD 13.9) were included in the case series. The average BMI 29.6 (SD 6.92). Five of the included fractures were Maisonneuve fractures while the remaining 13 were Weber C ankle fractures. The mechanism of injury of the fracture was low energy in 12, high energy in 1, and unknown in 5. On arthroscopic examination, 12 (66.7%) of the fractures were associated with full thickness articular cartilage injury requiring formal chondroplasty, 16 (88.9%) were associated with a minimum of partial articular damage, and only 2 (11.1%) had no articular damage identified on arthroscopy. Additionally, 12 (66.7%) had loose bodies that were removed during ankle arthroscopy. Conclusion: This study adds to a growing collection of literature concerning chondral injuries during ankle fractures. The data from this study suggest that AO 44-C fibular fractures are associated with a high rate of intraarticular pathology that can be effectively identified and managed during arthroscopy. Prospective studies are required to determine if there are therapeutic benefits to routine ankle arthroscopy in AO 44-C ankle fractures.

scholarly journals Initial Evaluation by a Nonoperative Provider Does Not Delay the Surgical Care of Operative Ankle Fractures in a Walk-in Orthopaedic Clinic

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0017
Author(s):  
Matthew N Fournier ◽  
Joseph T Cline ◽  
Adam Seal ◽  
Richard A Smith ◽  
Clayton C Bettin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Initial Evaluation ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgeon ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Orthopaedic Clinic ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgeons ◽  
Clinic Visits

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Walk-in and “afterhours” clinics are a common setting in which patients may seek care for musculoskeletal complaints. These clinics may be staffed by orthopaedic surgeons, nonsurgical physicians, advanced practice nurses, or physician assistants. If orthopaedic surgeons are more efficient than nonoperative providers at facilitating the care of operative injuries in this setting is unknown. This study assesses whether evaluation by a nonoperative provider delays the care of patients with operative ankle fractures compared to those seen by an orthopaedic surgeon in an orthopaedic walk-in clinic. Methods: Following IRB approval, a cohort of patients who were seen in a walk-in setting and who subsequently underwent surgical treatment for an isolated ankle fracture were retrospectively identified. The cohort was divided based on whether the initial clinic visit had been conducted by an operative or nonoperative provider. A second cohort of patients who were evaluated and subsequently treated by a fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon in their private practice was used as a control group. Outcome measures included total number of clinic visits before surgery, total number of providers seen, days until evaluation by treating surgeon, and days until definitive surgical management. Results: 138 patients were seen in a walk-in setting and subsequently underwent fixation of an ankle fracture. 61 were seen by an orthopaedic surgeon, and 77 were seen by a nonoperative provider. No significant differences were found between the operative and nonoperative groups when comparing days to evaluation by treating surgeon (4.1 vs 4.5, p=.31), or days until definitive surgical treatment (8.4 vs 8.8, p=.58). 62 patients who were seen and treated solely in a single surgeon’s practice had significantly fewer clinic visits (1.11 vs 2.03 and 2.09, p<.05), as well as days between evaluation and surgery compared to the walk-in groups (5.44 vs 8.44 and 8.78, p<.05). Conclusion: Initial evaluation in a walk-in orthopaedic clinic setting is associated with a longer duration between initial evaluation and treatment compared to a conventional foot and ankle surgeon’s clinic, but this difference may not be clinically significant. Evaluation by a nonoperative provider is not associated with an increased duration to definitive treatment compared to an operative provider.

scholarly journals Immediate Weight Bearing and Range of Motion After Internal Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0021
Author(s):  
Brianna R. Fram ◽  
Ryan G. Rogero ◽  
Daniel Corr ◽  
Gerard Chang ◽  
James Krieg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Posterior Malleolus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Operative Complications

Category: Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Ankle fractures are the third most common adult fractures. Further, they are the second most common fracture type to require inpatient admission, behind only hip fractures, despite occurring in a population on average nearly 30 years younger. There is evidence that early or immediate weight bearing and range of motion may be safe following ankle fracture fixation, but existing studies are small and largely exclude patients with syndesmotic or posterior malleolar fixation. We therefore studied the safety of immediate weight bearing as tolerated (IWBAT) and immediate range of motion (IROM) following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures in a diverse cohort and attempted to identify risk factors for complications. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study. Out of 268 patients who underwent primary ORIF of an unstable ankle fracture from 2013-18, we identified 133 (49.6%) who were IWBAT and IROM. The treating surgeon excluded patients from IWBAT if they had an ipsilateral leg injury requiring non-weight bearing, a large displaced posterior malleolus fragment, or Maisonneuve injury with fracture of the proximal fibula. We used propensity-score matching to identify 172 controls who were non-weight bearing (NWB) and no range of motion for 6 weeks post-op. We reviewed medical records and radiographs for demographic, injury and treatment characteristics. Our primary outcome was complications. We compared demographics, injury characteristics, treatment episode, and complications between the IWBAT and NWB groups and performed within group analysis to identify risk factors for complications. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The groups did not differ significantly in age, BMI, Charleston Comorbidity Index (CCI), smoking status, diabetes status, malleoli involved, percentages undergoing medial malleolus (60.9% IWBAT vs. 51.7% NWB, p=0.11), posterior malleolus (24.1% IWBAT, 26.7% NWB, p=0.59), or syndesmosis fixation (41.4% IWBAT, 42.4% NWB, p=0.85). There was no significant difference in total complications (9.8% IWBAT vs. 12.8% NWB, p=0.41), nonoperative complications (6.8% IWBAT vs. 8.7% NWB, p=0.53), or operative complications (3.8% IWBAT vs. 4.1% NWB, p=0.89). We did not identify any factors associated with increased complication risk, including posterior malleolus or syndesmosis fixation, diabetes, age, CCI or pre-injury assisted ambulation. Conclusion: IWBAT and IROM may be safe following ankle fracture ORIF in a broader patient population than previously believed. We did not identify specific risk factors for post-operative complications. Further study on patient selection may allow for more extensive use of this protocol to reduce the morbidity associated with unstable ankle fractures. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals The Role of Arthroscopic Debridement after Ankle Fractures Treated with ORIF

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0001
Author(s):  
Paolo Ceccarini ◽  
Giuseppe Rinonapoli ◽  
Julien Teodori ◽  
Auro Caraffa
Keyword(s):  
Distal Tibia ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Ankle Arthroscopy ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Osteochondral Lesions ◽  
Operation Rate ◽  
Patient Reported

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: The role of ankle arthroscopy in managing the consequences of ankle fractures is yet to be fully estab- lished. This study aims to assess this procedure in terms of the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis, re-operation rate and patient- reported outcomes. Methods: We compared two homogeneous groups of 16 patients (32 in total, average age 40.6 years) operated for a fracture of the distal tibia and/or fibula treated with ORIF. For all fractures the AO classification was used. The baseline was 6 months after surgery. Inclusion criteria were: patients aged between 19 and 50 a pre-trauma Tegner score >3, FAOS score <75 at the baseline, R.O.M. <20° vs contralateral; we included patients with well-aligned osteosynthesis and with radiographic union. Patients with open fractures, with osteochondral lesions and with previous were excluded. In the first group we planned an arthroscopy of the ankle from 6 to 12 months after trauma, in the second group, we continued with conservative rehabilitation treatment. All patients were then re-evaluated at 3,6 and 12 months with questionnaires (Tegner activity level, and FAOS). The mean follow-up was 18.2 months. For all data statistical analysis was performed. Results: The results of our case-series showed excellent patient satisfaction (12/14) with a FAOS Score and an improved R.O.M. statistically significant (p <.001) in patients treated with ankle arthroscopy. Eighty percent was able to return to previous activity. The average time until return to sport was 5.3 ± 2.4 months. Seventy percent of the athletes still had occasional pain with sport. Conclusion: The literature on arthroscopic treatment after fracture is still poor but results obtained, even with a limited number of cases, and with a short follow-up, are positive, especially in those patients where the functional demand is highest.

scholarly journals Early weight bearing compared with non-weight bearing functional mobilization after operative treatment of an ankle fracture

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
KP Paudel
Keyword(s):  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Operative Treatment ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Subjective Evaluation ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
T Test ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Early Weight Bearing

Ankle fractures are the most common types of fractures treated in orthopaedics. When to begin ankle movement and weight bearing and the type of immobilizing devices to use post-operatively have had more intense clinical study than most other aspects of ankle fracture treatment. Aim of this study is to compare the results of two functional methods of post-operative treatment in internally fixed ankle fractures, i.e. one after early weight bearing using walking plaster and the other after non-weight bearing functional mobilization in the first six weeks following stable internal fixation. This is a prospective, non-randomized study. Between March 2004 and February 2006, thirty- five patients with displaced ankle fractures treated by internal fixation were assigned in a way that every alternate patient fell in different groups. Group A patients, 17, were managed with a below-knee walking plaster and group B patients, 18 with non-weight bearing mobilization with crutches. Five patients were lost in follow up and 30 were followed regularly as in the protocol. There was a temporary benefit in subjective evaluation (63 v 48 points, student t test. P=0.262), return to work (53.8 v 72.9 days, student t test, p=0.079) for those with a below-knee walking plaster at six week. There were minimal differences between the groups in the loss of dorsal range of movement (14.7 v 13.1 degree) or in the overall clinical results at the first follow up. But the differences disappeared in any evaluation after three months. Both treatments were considered to be satisfactory and the treatment choice depends on the ability to mobilize or weight bearing, the type of work and personal preference. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v7i1.5972 JCMSN 2011; 7(1): 40-46

scholarly journals Increased Rates of Readmission, Reoperation, and Mortality Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures Are Associated with Diabetes Mellitus

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0032
Author(s):  
Jennifer Liu ◽  
Junho Ahn ◽  
Dane Wukich ◽  
Katherine Raspovic
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Internal Fixation ◽  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Open Reduction ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Unplanned Readmission ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Acs Nsqip ◽  
Increased Risk

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Ankle fractures are amongst the most common type of fracture injury in adults with an annual incidence of 187 fractures per 100,000 people in the United States. Previous groups have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a myriad of complications – including infection, malunion, and impaired wound healing – following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery for ankle fractures. However, to our knowledge there has not been a large-scale nationwide study on the rate of readmission, reoperation, and mortality associated with DM. The purpose of this study was to calculate the increased risk and odds ratios for 30-day postoperative readmission, reoperation, and mortality after ankle fracture ORIF. Methods: Patients who underwent ORIF for ankle fractures from 2006 to 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Median values along with 25th to 75th interquartile ranges (IQRs) were used to describe continuous variables and frequency (%) was used to describe categorical variables. Patient demographic factors along with 30-day postoperative outcomes were compared between those who had DM and those who did not have DM using the Mann-Whitney test or?2 test. 30-day postoperative unplanned readmission, unplanned reoperation, and mortality rates were compared in 2,044 patients with DM and 15,420 patients without DM. Crude odds ratios (OR) and adjusted ORs controlling for age differences were calculated for each parameter with a 95% confidence interval (CI). All statistical analyses were performed with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Patient factors and pre-operative laboratory statistics are summarized in Figure 1D, and the distribution of ankle fractures types are shown in Figure1A&B. Comparing patients with DM vs without DM, the rate of readmission was 4.35% vs 1.50%, rate of reoperation was 2.30% vs 0.75%, and rate of mortality was 0.73% vs 0.21%. As shown in Figure 1C, we found that patients with DM had a 2.66 times increased risk of readmission (CI: 1.99-3.52, p = 0.0001), 2.76 increased risk of reoperation (CI: 1.91-3.92, p = 0.0001), and a 2.34 increased risk of mortality (CI: 1.19-4.44, p = 0.0377). Interestingly, we also found a 22.06 increased risk of amputation (CI: 3.29-344.8, p = 0.0063) though the rate of amputation in both groups was very small. Conclusion: In this large-scale retrospective study we showed that the presence of diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of unplanned readmission, unplanned reoperation, and mortality within 30 days after ankle fracture ORIF surgery. Thus, patients with diabetes that require ORIF ankle surgery should be informed of their increased risk of complications and extra precautions should be taken to minimize risk. Further research in optimization of perioperative care for diabetic patients is crucial to reducing rates of complication. Large clinical databases such as ACS-NSQIP should endeavor to collect more parameters on diabetic patients to facilitate these studies.

scholarly journals The Role of Deep Deltoid Ligament in Ankle Fracture Stability: A Biomechanical Cadaveric Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0035
Author(s):  
Daniel McCormack ◽  
Sayyied J. Kirmani ◽  
Sheweidin Aziz ◽  
Radwane Faroug ◽  
Jitendra Mangwani
Keyword(s):  
Ankle Fracture ◽  
Dynamic Stress ◽  
Cadaveric Study ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Deltoid Ligament ◽  
Lateral Side ◽  
Posterior Portion ◽  
Stage 4 ◽  
Talar Tilt

Category: Ankle; Basic Sciences/Biologics; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Supination-external rotation (SER) injuries make up 80% of all ankle fractures. SER stage 2 injuries (AITFL and Weber B) are considered stable. SER stage 3 injury includes disruption of the posterior malleolus (or PITFL). In SER stage 4 there is either medial malleolus fracture or deltoid injury. SER 4 injuries have been considered unstable, requiring surgery. The deltoid ligament is a key component of ankle stability, but clinical tests to assess deltoid injury have low specificity. This biomechanical cadaveric study specifically investigates the role of the components of the deep deltoid ligament in the stabillity of SER ankle fractures. Methods: In the first phase of the study, three specimens were utilised to standardise dissection of the deltoid ligament and creation and fixation of SER ankle fracture. In phase two, four matched pairs (8 specimens) were tested using this standardised protocol (Figure1). Specimens were sequentially tested for stability when axially loaded with a custom rig with up to 750N. Specimens were tested with: ankle intact; lateral injury (AITFL and Weber B); additional posterior injury (PITFL); additional anterior deep deltoid; additional posterior deep deltoid; lateral side ORIF. Clinical photographs and radiographs were recorded at each stage. In addition, dynamic stress radiographs were performed after sectioning the deep deltoid and following fracture fixation to assess talar tilt in eversion. Results: All specimens behaved in an identical manner when subjected to this standardised protocol. When the posterior deep deltoid ligament was intact, the ankle remained stable when loaded and showed no talar tilt on dynamic stress test. Once the posterior deep deltoid ligament was sectioned, there was demonstrable instability in all specimens. Surgical stabilisation of the lateral side using standard technique with a plate prevented talar shift but not talar tilt. In adequately stabilised ankle specimens, there was no loss of fixation on axial loading. Conclusion: This biomechanical cadaveric experiment demonstrates that under the standardised test conditions, all SER fracture ankle specimens with an intact posterior deep deltoid ligament behaved as stable injuries. The posterior portion of the deep deltoid ligament is a crucial structure in conferring stability to SER stage 4 injuries. The clinical implication of this is that when the posterior deep deltoid ligament is intact, SER fractures may be managed without surgical intervention in a plantigrade cast. We also conclude that without immobilisation, the talus may tilt in the mortise risking long-term deltoid incompetence.

scholarly journals Subtalar Arthroscopy

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11_suppl6) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0045
Author(s):  
Jae Hoon Ahn
Keyword(s):  
Subtalar Joint ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Calcaneal Fracture ◽  
Postoperative Recovery ◽  
Persistent Pain ◽  
Ankle Fractures ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Fatty Tissue ◽  
Complex Anatomy ◽  
Extensile Approach

The subtalar joint plays an important role in the movement of the ankle and foot. The complex anatomy of the subtalar joint makes it difficult for surgeons to evaluate the entire joint even with extensile approach. The arthroscopy of posterior subtalar joint was first described by Parisien in 1985. The development of good quality small-diameter arthroscopes and refined arthroscopic techniques has contributed to the improvement of the subtalar arthroscopy. The reported advantages of the subtalar arthroscopy include faster postoperative recovery and decreased postoperative pain. The subtalar arthroscopy can be applied as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. The diagnostic indications are persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, or locking of the subtalar area resistant to conservative treatment. Therapeutic indications include debridement of sinus tarsi syndrome and chondromalacia, excision of subtalar impingement lesions and osteophytes, lysis of adhesions with post-traumatic arthrofibrosis, synovectomy, removal of loose bodies, removal of a symptomatic os trigonum, calcaneal fracture assessment and reduction, and arthroscopic arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. The subtalar arthroscopy can be done in supine position using thigh holder or in lateral decubitus position. The arthroscope generally used is a 2.7-mm 30 degrees short arthroscope. Noninvasive distraction with a strap around the hindfoot can be helpful. Usually anterolateral, middle, and posterolateral portals are utilized for inspection and instrumentation within the subtalar joint. After insertion of the arthroscope, thorough inspection of the joint can be done using 13-point examination techniques. Two-portal posterior subtalar arthroscopy in prone position can be performed as well with 4.0-mm 30 degrees arthroscope, depending on the type and location of the subtalar pathology. The joint capsule and the adjacent fatty tissue should be partially resected for better visualization. The subtalar arthroscopy is a technically demanding procedure, which requires proper instrumentation and careful operative technique. Possible complications after subtalar arthroscopy are nerve damage and persistent wound drainage. In conclusion, the ankle arthroscopy is a safe adjunctive procedure for the treatment of ankle fractures. It can be performed as well for the evaluation and management of syndesmotic injury, and for persistent pain following the definitive treatment of ankle fractures.

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