Twenty-nine cases of operative arthroscopy of the ankle were done between 1985 and 1989 for synovial impingement of the ankle. The average age of the patients was 37 years. All patients (17 men, 12 women) reported an earlier history of injury, with 24 of the patients (83%) noting chronic ankle pain after an inversion injury and 5 of the patients (17%) reporting a previous ankle fracture. Physical examination elicited anterolateral tenderness at the ankle in all cases with associated anteromedial pain in 4 patients. A demonstrable "click" was evident in 6 of the patients (21%) on forced dorsiflexion of the ankle. All patients failed conservative treatment including physical therapy and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Surgery was performed at an average of 36 months postinjury. Ankle arthroscopy revealed extensive hypertrophic synovial thickening and scar tissue anterolaterally, indicating synovial impingement in all patients. Associated chondromalacia of the distal tibia was seen in 21% of the patients. Operative arthroscopy included partial synovectomy and debridement of the hypertrophic tissue and partial shaving chondroplasty of the tibia when indicated. Postoperatively, patients were weightbearing as tolerated. Results were assessed subjectively and objectively. At 25-month followup 26 patients had excellent or good results and 3 had fair results; there were no poor results. There were no major complications, including infection or neurovascular compromise. The 3 patients with associated ankle instability comprised the "fair" result group and eventually required lateral ankle reconstruction. Thus, chronic ankle pain due to synovial impingement can be safely, predictably, and effectively treated by operative ankle arthroscopy.

A retrospective study of the arthroscopic treatment of transchondral fractures of the talar dome in 18 patients was conducted. Followup ranged from 3 months to 3 years; 10 patients had an average followup of 2 years (Group A) and 8 of 6.5 months (Group B). The 10 male and 8 female patients ranged in age from 14 to 40 years. Thirteen lesions were posteromedial while five were anterolateral. Fourteen of the 18 patients reported an inversion type injury to the ankle from playing various sports on weekends. One patient had a bimalleolar fracture of the ankle sustained in a car accident 18 months prior to referral, while the last patient in the series had a bilateral fracture of the os calcis from a work-related falling incident. All patients underwent conservative care for at least 4 months prior to referral. Arthroscopic treatment consisted of partial synovectomy, debridement of osteochondral lesions with removal of loose fragments, curettage, abrasion, and, in one case, drilling. For analysis of postoperative management, patients were divided into two groups, 10 with the 2 year followup comprising Group A and the 8 with the 6.5 month followup in Group B. Group A was nonweightbearing for 6 weeks while Group B was ambulatory 2 weeks postoperatively. Group A was fully ambulatory when the 6 week nonweightbearing period expired. All patients had a full range of motion at the time of suture removal (1 week to 10 days). Both groups were evaluated objectively and subjectively. Excellent or good results were obtained in 88% of the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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