Arthroscopic excision of separated ossicles of the lateral malleolus.

BACKGROUND: We have conducted a retrospective review of 19 patients for whom 20 separated ossicles of the lateral malleolus were excised arthroscopically. We examined the operating methods, findings, and overall results. METHODS: The patients' indications for this procedure were as follows. The main complaints were pain alone; ossicle sizes were small and ankle instability was minimal. There were 12 ankles of 12 males and eight ankles of seven females. The patients' average age was 17.6 years. A 2.7-mm, 30° arthroscope was inserted into the ankle joint through the anterolateral portal. Instruments were inserted through the accessory anterolateral portal, and ossicles were removed piece by piece. Talar tilt angles and anterior displacements were examined and compared before and after surgery by use of stress radiographs. Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) ankle/hindfoot scales were assessed pre and postoperatively. RESULTS: All patients recovered their original levels of activity. The mean talar tilt angle changed from 6.1° ± 2.4° preoperatively to 6.0° ± 1.8° postoperatively (p = 0.93), and the mean anterior displacement changed from 5.9 ± 1.7 mm preoperatively to 6.1 ± 2.0 mm postoperatively (p = 0.42). Average JSSF ankle/hindfoot scale improved from 77.6 ± 2.6 points preoperatively to 97.2 ± 5.2 points postoperatively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic excision of separated ossicles of the lateral malleolus achieved good results with minimum incisions, and relatively early resumption of daily and sports activity was possible. However, when the ossicles were embedded within the fibers of the anterior talofibular ligament, it was impossible to avoid cutting of ligament fibers. To reduce the possibility of ligament dysfunction, we believe postoperative treatment should conform to the accepted method for treatment of acute ankle sprains.

A clinical study of chondral-separated types of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

BACKGROUND: The progress of diagnostic imaging technology, including CTs, MRIs, and ankle arthroscopy has encouraged more detailed descriptions of osteochondral lesions of the talus. These lesions can vary from chondral fragments separated from the subchondral bone with or without bone sclerosis or cysts in the subchondral layers. Isolated lesions of the cartilage, defined as chondral-separated types, as opposed to the osteochondral-separated types which were osteochondral fragments, were retrospectively evaluated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three osteochondral lesions of the talus in 69 patients were treated. There were 29 chondral-separated types in 29 patients confirmed by examining CT, MRI, and arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: The average age at onset of the chondral-separated type was 30.7 years. CT findings (29 ankles) showed sclerosis in seven ankles, micropores in nine, honeycombs in seven, and cysts in six. MRI T2-weighted image findings (28 ankles) showed micro to large pore high signals in the subchondral layers in 18 ankles, low to high mixed signals with poor margins in six, and high signals on the articular surfaces in four. Arthroscopic findings (29 ankles) showed softening of the articular cartilage in two ankles, fissures in 16, bulging and fissures in six, and detachment of the articular cartilage in five. CONCLUSION: The onset of these lesions occurred in adults after bone maturity with involvement of the chondral and subchondral layers. Each layer seemed to have experienced different degenerative and reparative processes.

Arthroscopic excision of posterior ankle bony impingement for early return to the field: short-term results.

BACKGROUND: We treated 12 cases of posterior ankle bony impingement in 12 athletes arthroscopically, and examined the operating methods, findings, and postoperative physical therapy and overall results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients' average age was 21.4 years. The mean duration of postoperative followup was 33.8 months. A 2.7-mm, 30 degree arthroscope was inserted into the subtalar joint using posterolateral and accessory posterolateral portals. When the impinged fragment was visualized, it was carefully excised from the surrounding soft tissues. The operation was completed once the entire flexor hallucis longus tendon was seen. No cast immobilization was applied postoperatively, and physical therapy including limited weight bearing and range-of-motion exercises commenced within 24 hours after surgery. Beginning 3 weeks after surgery, the patients were permitted to gradually resume sports under the guidance of a physiotherapist. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, the postoperative range of motion of the ankle and the time to recover were determined. RESULTS: The average postoperative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score improved from 68.0 to 98.3 points. The mean preoperative range of motion of the ankle joint was improved from 59.2 degree to 68.4 degree. The average period to return to sports was 5.9 weeks. All patients reached full activity within 13 weeks after surgery. The surgical time ranged from 40 minutes to over 2 hours and was affected by the impingement condition. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic treatment for posterior ankle bony impingement syndrome was minimally invasive and suitable for athletes who desire an early return to sports activity.