Fifteen out of 16 elite athletes showed concomitant low-grade cartilage lesions of the ankle with unstable syndesmotic injuries: concerns from a prospective case series.
BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med
; 10(1): e001879, 2024.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38440746
ABSTRACT
Objectives:
This study aimed to determine the incidence rate and characterise the location and severity of cartilage lesions in the ankle in elite athletes undergoing suture-button stabilisation for unstable distal syndesmotic injuries using needle arthroscopic examination. The feasibility and safety of ad hoc needle arthroscopy and its assisted interventions were also assessed.Methods:
This prospective case series included elite athletes undergoing surgical stabilisation between April 2021 and June 2023. Procedures involved suture button fixation and needle arthroscopy, conducted by a single ankle fellow-trained surgeon. Ankle cartilage lesions were graded using the Cheng and Ferkel classification and located using the nine-zone grid. The study followed the STROBE statement.Results:
This study included 16 elite athletes undergoing surgery for distal syndesmotic injuries, with 75% having acute and 25% chronic injuries. Cartilage lesions were prevalent (n=15/16, 94%), mainly at the talar dome (90%), and primarily scored as grade 1 (33%) or grade 2 (67%). Distal tibia cartilage damage occurred in 13% of cases. All patients were diagnosed with an instability of the syndesmosis confirmed through needle arthroscopy and were treated with a suture button (one or two buttons) fixation.Conclusion:
In 15/16 elite athletes with syndesmotic injuries, concomitant ankle cartilage lesions were identified through needle arthroscopy. In addition, most of the lesions were classified as grade 1 or 2, denoting superficial damage. Needle arthroscopic interventions proved feasible and safe for confirming syndesmotic instability and addressing intra-articular pathologies.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Países Bajos