Arthroscopic Treatment of Anterior Ankle Impingement

Abstract

Background and objectives:Anterior ankle impingement (as a common cause of anterior ankle pain) is becoming re- cently a common diagnosis in peoples who do excessive dorsiflexion of ankle joint in their daily activities. Arthroscopic debridement is nowadays a gold standard procedure for anterior ankle impingement treatment in both osseous and soft tissue type impingements. The objectives of this study are to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic procedures used as a treatment strategy for anterior ankle impingement. Methods:We per- formed a prospective study on 20 patients diagnosed as cases of anterior ankle impingement on the basis of clinical and radiological examination, the patients complained from either soft tissue or bony impingement. All patients were treated by arthroscopic debridement or burring. Clinical outcome was evaluated according to American orthopedic foot and ankle society score questionnaires, visual analogue scale, and ankle dorsiflexion range achieved. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.4 year, mean AOFAS ankle hind-foot scale improved from 52.65 preoperatively to 86.95 postoperatively (statistically significant). The mean pain visual analogue scale decreased from 7.9 to 3.1. The mean dorsiflexion angle increased from 7 degrees to 14.5 degrees. Conclusion: Arthroscopic debridement and excision of impinging soft tissues and burring of impinging bones is the treatment of choice for patients with anterior ankle impingement syndrome of both osseous and soft tissue nature after failure of conservative measures to relieve the symptoms and improve the range of motion.