Soft Tissue Impingement Research Articles

ARTHROSCOPIC TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR IMPINGEMENT IN THE ANKLE

Background. Anterior soft tissue impingement is a common cause of chronic pain in the ankle. The preferred method of operative treatment is an arthroscopic excision of hypertrophic fibrous and synovial tissue in the anterior part of the ankle joint. Methods. We present the results of arthroscopic treatment of anterior ankle impingement in group of 14 patients. Results. Subjective improvement after the procedure was observed in all patients and 13 of them (93%) were without any symptoms after the operation. One patient reported of intermittent pain, especially when walking on uneven grounds. Conclusions. We conclude that arthroscopic excision of hypertrophic synovial tissue in the anterior part of the ankle which causes the symptoms of impingement is a minimally invasive procedure that is both safe and reliable. When used for appropriate indications, an improvement can be expected in over 90% of patients.

Synovitis and soft tissue impingement of the ankle: assessment with enhanced three-dimensional FSPGR MR imaging.

To assess soft tissue impingement as well as synovitis of the ankle associated with trauma by using contrast-enhanced (CE), fat-suppressed, three-dimensional, fast gradient-recalled acquisition in the steady state with radiofrequency spoiling (FSPGR) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A total of 36 patients who had had chronic ankle pain associated with a traumatic injury undertook fat-suppressed CE three-dimensional FSPGR MR imaging and then arthroscopy of the ankle. The ankle joint was divided into four compartments by anatomic details: the anterolateral gutter, anteromedial gutter, anterior recess, and posterior recess. Synovial enhancement was graded as follows: grade I, no enhancement; grade II, linear enhancement; grade III, focal nodular enhancement; and grade IV, irregular nodular enhancement. MR grading of the synovial enhancement (synovitis, grade III or IV; soft tissue impingement, grade III or IV with its intrusion from the capsular reflection) was compared with arthroscopic findings. A control study of twenty asymptomatic ankles was done for determining enhancement. Arthroscopy confirmed synovitis in 47 compartments of 27 patients. Of the 27 patients, 15 revealed soft tissue impingement in 17 compartments. For the assessment of synovitis, fat-suppressed CE three-dimensional FSPGR MR imaging had an accuracy of 72.9%, sensitivity of 91.5%, and specificity of 63.9%; whereas for that of soft tissue impingement it had an accuracy of 94.4%, sensitivity of 76.5%, and specificity of 96.9%. All of the asymptomatic subjects showed grade I (81%) or II (19%) synovial enhancement. Fat-suppressed CE three-dimensional FSPGR MR imaging was sensitive for the evaluation of synovitis of the ankle associated with trauma, whereas it was specific for soft tissue impingement evaluation.

UniSpacer: insufficient data to support its widespread use.

The concept of a UniSpacer is not new. McKeever and MacIntosh metallic hemiarthroplasties have been available for more than 50 years. Two decades ago, published reports for patients with unicompartmental OA revealed good initial results in 85% of patients. This procedure is conservative and easily revised, if necessary, to any type of arthroplasty in the future. The UniSpacer can be thought of as a mobile McKeever or MacIntosh metallic hemiarthroplasty. Rather than attempting fixation to the tibial plateau via a keel or a roughened undersurface, it is designed to translate freely on the tibial plateau as determined by the conforming articulation of its top side surface with the femoral condyle. This mobility makes it inappropriate for use in the lateral compartment where the femoral roll-back could cause prosthetic dislocation or soft tissue impingement or both. The eventual role of the UniSpacer in arthroplasty currently is uncertain. There are no published reports of its effectiveness. Its indication should be similar to those for McKeever arthroplasty. A patient with unicompartmental OA in whom an osteotomy is contraindicated but is considered too young, heavy, or active for a metal-to-plastic arthroplasty is ideal. Less than 1% of patients with OA should be appropriate candidates. The procedure is technically demanding and sensitive, making its widespread success unlikely.

Imaging of ankle impingement

Although originally described in the 1950s impingement syndromes are now recognised as a significant cause of chronic ankle pain. 1–6 Chronic ankle pain is a common clinical problem and impingement syndromes form a small but significant proportion of this patient group, predominating in athletes and the younger population. Symptoms for all these conditions relate to physical impingement of abnormal osseous or soft tissue resulting in painful limitation of the full range of ankle movement. Anterolateral, anterior and posterior ankle impingement have been extensively described in the orthopaedic literature, with more recent studies describing anteromedial and posteromedial impingement. 1–6 From the radiological view point anterolateral impingement has been the most extensively studied 1,2,7–13 but the potential imaging features involved in the other conditions are now being recognised. This article will deciribe the clinical features, imaging findings and management of ankle impingement.

Fate of the unrevised all-polyethylene patellar component in revision total knee arthroplasty.

During revision total knee arthroplasty, the alternatives for addressing the well-positioned and secure all-polyethylene patellar component with minimal or no wear include retention, revision, and resection. The purpose of the present study was to determine the intermediate-term fate of all-polyethylene patellar components that were left in situ at the time of revision tibiofemoral arthroplasty. We retrospectively reviewed the results of 202 revision total knee arthroplasties, performed at four centers, in which a well-fixed, well-positioned all-polyethylene patellar component with minimal wear was retained. Clinical evaluation was performed to identify the presence of anterior knee symptoms or patellar failures, and the Knee Society clinical scores were recorded. Sixty-eight percent of the revision tibiofemoral components were from a different manufacturer than the retained patellar component. Twenty-one patients (twenty-one knees; 10%) reported anterior knee pain at a mean duration of follow-up of seven years (range, two to fourteen years). Eleven of the twenty-one knees with anterior knee pain had evidence of component loosening, excessive wear, or delamination either on follow-up radiographs or on direct inspection at the time of reoperation. In the other ten knees, the findings were attributable to osseous impingement on the femoral component or soft-tissue dysfunction (including soft-tissue impingement, subluxation, and scarring). Seventeen of the twenty-one patients with anterior knee pain underwent additional surgery to address the source of the pain. Failures due to loosening or wear occurred only in patients in whom the patellar component had been sterilized with gamma irradiation in air; these failures occurred at a mean 7.3 years after revision (eleven years after primary total knee arthroplasty). The likelihood of patellar component failure was significantly greater when the component had been gamma irradiated in air than when it had been sterilized with another method (p = 0.0008). The average knee score increased from 42 to 86 points, and the average function score increased from 46 to 70 points. Retaining a well-positioned, stable all-polyethylene patellar component at the time of revision tibiofemoral arthroplasty can be successful, provided that the polyethylene has not oxidized. Manufacturing mismatch is acceptable with most contemporary designs provided that the patellar component articulates appropriately with the femoral implant. Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See p. 2 for complete description of levels of evidence.

Invited Commentary to: 'Arthroscopy of Total Knee Arthroplasties: Indications and Technical Problems' (Eur Surg 2002;34:309 - 311)

Background: Postoperative complaints after total knee arthroplasty range from restriction in range of motion, recurrent swelling, and soft tissue impingement through to prosthesis failure with no obvious radiological abnormality. This study looks at the indications and technical problems of arthroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Fourteen arthroscopies were performed between 3 days and 10 years following total knee arthroplasty. Six of these cases presented significantly decreased range of motion, four had proximal medial joint line pain, two had pain with no obvious cause, one had a suspected patella incongruence with metal-back contact, and one case had a postoperative haemarthrosis. Results: Arthroscopy revealed adhesions and intra-articular fibrous bands resulting in incongruence of the patellofemoral joint and decreased range of motion. Medial compartment pain was due to pseudomeniscal hypertrophic villous synovium. In one case, the pain was due to chronic infection and open synovectomy was undertaken. A fracture of the polyethylene inlet was found by arthroscopy in one case. The suspected patella malalignment with metal-back contact was confirmed by arthroscopy. Technical problems encompassed mirror images, the possibility of damaging the components by arthroscopic manipulation, and the variants of prosthesis. Conclusions: Arthroscopy of total knee arthroplasties is a good minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative dysfunction, such as arthrofibrosis, soft tissue impingement, patella instability, infection, breakdown of implants and haemarthrosis.

Invited Commentary to:'Arthroscopy of Total Knee Arthroplasties: Indications and Technical Problems' (Eur Surg 2002;34:309 - 311)

Background: Postoperative complaints after total knee arthroplasty range from restriction in range of motion, recurrent swelling, and soft tissue impingement through to prosthesis failure with no obvious radiological abnormality. This study looks at the indications and technical problems of arthroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic total knee arthroplasty. Methods: Fourteen arthroscopies were performed between 3 days and 10 years following total knee arthroplasty. Six of these cases presented significantly decreased range of motion, four had proximal medial joint line pain, two had pain with no obvious cause, one had a suspected patella incongruence with metal-back contact, and one case had a postoperative haemarthrosis. Results: Arthroscopy revealed adhesions and intra-articular fibrous bands resulting in incongruence of the patellofemoral joint and decreased range of motion. Medial compartment pain was due to pseudomeniscal hypertrophic villous synovium. In one case, the pain was due to chronic infection and open synovectomy was undertaken. A fracture of the polyethylene inlet was found by arthroscopy in one case. The suspected patella malalignment with metal-back contact was confirmed by arthroscopy. Technical problems encompassed mirror images, the possibility of damaging the components by arthroscopic manipulation, and the variants of prosthesis. Conclusions: Arthroscopy of total knee arthroplasties is a good minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and treatment of postoperative dysfunction, such as arthrofibrosis, soft tissue impingement, patella instability, infection, breakdown of implants and haemarthrosis.

Soft-tissue and osseous impingement syndromes of the ankle: role of imaging in diagnosis and management.

Soft-tissue and osseous impingement syndromes of the ankle can be an important cause of chronic pain, particularly in the professional athlete. The main impingement syndromes are anterolateral, anterior, anteromedial, and posterior impingement. These conditions arise from initial ankle injuries, which, in the subacute or chronic situation, lead to development of abnormal osseous and soft-tissue thickening within the ankle joint. The relative contributions of the osseous and soft-tissue abnormalities are variable, but whatever component is dominant there is physical impingement and painful limitation of ankle movement. Conventional radiography is usually the first imaging technique performed and allows assessment of any potential bone abnormality, particularly in anterior and posterior impingement. Computed tomography (CT) and isotope bone scanning have been largely superseded by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, but the accuracy and role of MR imaging in assessment of possible ankle impingement have not been clearly established. MR imaging can demonstrate osseous and soft-tissue edema in anterior or posterior impingement. Studies of conventional MR imaging have produced conflicting sensitivities and specificities in assessment of anterolateral impingement. CT and MR arthrographic techniques allow the most accurate assessment of the capsular recesses, albeit with important limitations in diagnosis of clinical impingement syndromes.

Impingement syndrome of the ankle following supination external rotation trauma: MR imaging findings with arthroscopic correlation.

Our objective was to identify MR imaging findings in patients with syndesmotic soft tissue impingement of the ankle and to investigate the reliability of these imaging characteristics to predict syndesmotic soft tissue impingement syndromes of the ankle. Twenty-one ankles with chronic pain ultimately proven to have anterior soft tissue impingement syndrome were examined by MR imaging during January 1996 to June 2001. The MR imaging protocol included sagittal and coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR), sagittal T1-weighted spin echo, axial and coronal proton-density, and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences. Nineteen ankles that underwent MR imaging during the same period of time and that had arthroscopically proven diagnosis different than impingement syndrome served as a control group. Fibrovascular scar formations distinct from the syndesmotic ligaments possibly related to syndesmotic soft tissue impingement were recorded. Arthroscopy was performed subsequently in all patients and was considered the gold standard. The statistical analysis revealed an overall frequency of scarred syndesmotic ligaments of 70% in the group with ankle impingement. Fibrovascular scar formations distinct from the syndesmotic ligaments presented with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and remained low to intermediate in signal intensity on T2-weighted MR imaging. Compared with arthroscopy, MR imaging revealed a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 100%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 93% for scarred syndesmotic ligaments. The frequency of scar formation distinct from the syndesmotic ligaments in patients with impingement syndrome of the ankle was not statistically significantly higher than in the control group. In contrast to that, anterior tibial osteophytes and talar osteophytes were statistically significantly higher in the group with anterior impingement than in the control group. Conventional MR imaging was found to be insensitive for the diagnosis of syndesmotic soft tissue impingement of the ankle. Fibrovascular scar tissue distinct from syndesmotic ligaments is suggestive for the diagnosis of soft tissue impingement, but the reliability of these findings is still questionable.

Arthroscopy of Total Knee Arthroplasties: Indications and Technical Problems

Background: Postoperative complaints after total knee arthroplasty range from restriction in range of motion, recurrent swelling, and soft tissue impingement through to prosthesis failure with no obvious radiological abnormality. This study looks at the indications and technical problems of arthroscopy in the treatment of symptomatic total knee arthroplasty.

Arthroscopic treatment of soft-tissue impingement under the patella after total knee arthroplasty

There has been an increased number of reports of complicated diseases of the patellofemoral joints after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We treated soft-tissue impingement under the patella after TKA by arthroscopic surgery and investigated the findings and efficacy of the treatment. Six patients and 8 knees that showed soft-tissue impingement of patellofemoral joints after TKA were treated by arthroscopic surgery. We classified the patients with soft-tissue impingement under the patella into 3 groups: (I) patellar clunk syndrome, the isolated fibrous nodule located in the suprapatellar lesion without the other fibrous tissues causing the impingement (n = 2); (II) impinging hypertrophic synovitis, generalized hypertrophic synovitis with no fibrous nodule (n = 4); and (III) the combination of types I and II, the suprapatellar fibrous nodule with generalized hypertrophic synovitis (n = 2). Therapeutic efficacy was in type I, 2 were good to excellent; in type II, 3 were fair and 1 was poor; and in type III, 2 were fair. Better results were obtained in type I (a patellar clunk syndrome) than in type II (impingement synovitis).Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 4 (April), 2002: E20

Arthroscopic treatment of impingement of the ankle reduces pain and enhances function.

A consecutive series of 105 patients with a median age of 35 (16-62) years who were operated on with arthroscopic resection for impingement of the ankle using standardized technique without distraction is presented. All patients complained of painful dorsiflexion and had failed to respond to conservative treatment. A total of 177 diagnoses were found, soft tissue impingement or synovitis in 89, anterior bony impingement in 44, chondral lesion in 20, loose bodies in 16 and osteoarthritis in eight. At follow-up after 2 years, 65 patients were pain free while 28 patients had experienced reduction of pain. Gait was improved in 30/41 patients and 22 resumed sporting activities. The results were graded excellent in 67, good in 25, fair in six and poor in seven patients. There were four deep infections and one synovial fistula in this series. The deep infections all responded well to arthroscopic synovectomy and intravenous antibiotics. In one patient persistent symptoms were recorded. Ankle arthroscopy yielded good results in the treatment of anterior impingement of the ankle as it effectively reduced pain and enhanced function.

Arthroscopic anatomy of the posterior ankle ligaments

Purpose: Our objective was to define the arthroscopic anatomy of the posterior ankle ligaments. Type of Study: Anatomic study. Methods: Twenty fresh-frozen feet were dissected in order to examine the morphology of the posterior ankle ligaments and their variations. In addition, arthroscopic examination was performed in 8 feet with standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals. Posterior ligamentous structures were identified and marked with suture. Following arthroscopy, careful dissection was performed and previously marked anatomic structures were identified. Results: At the time of anatomic dissection, the posteroinferior tibiofibular ligament, also called the tibial slip, was found to be a constant structure with varying size and shape, and well evident during arthroscopy due to its oblique course. The deep component of the posteroinferior tibiofibular ligament, also called the transverse ligament, is well defined during arthroscopy. The 2 ligaments not well visualized during arthroscopy are the superficial component of the posteroinferior tibiofibular ligament and the posterior talofibular ligament. Conclusions: These findings should be of interest in interpreting findings encountered during arthroscopic examination of ankle, and when a posterior soft-tissue impingement syndrome must be ruled out.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 4 (April), 2002: pp 353–358

Lumbosacral Stability of Consolidated Anteroposterior Fusion After Instrumentation Removal Determined by Roentgen Stereophotogrammetric Analysis and Direct Surgical Exploration

The intervertebral stability of bony consolidated anteroposterior lumbosacral spondylodesis is evaluated by roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis and direct surgical exploration before and after removal of the internal fixator. To determine the remaining in vivo stability of spinal arthrodesis solely retained by a bony integrated carbon fiber cage. Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis studies on posterolateral lumbar fusions demonstrate primary spinal stability after additional dorsal instrumentation, which is retained during bony fusion healing. Animal models show a persistent stabilizing effect of the fixator despite the presence of bony fusion. Although direct surgical inspection is the most reliable method to evaluate fused vertebrae, roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis has also proven to be a highly accurate method to evaluate spinal stability. In 10 patients lumbosacral fusion was performed using carbon interbody implants and an internal fixator. Ten months after initial surgery (range 7-15 months) the internal fixation was removed to reduce local soft tissue impingement as soon as bony fusion was achieved. Fusion site exploration in the course of instrumentation removal was performed by applying distraction, compression, and torque to the grafted area under fluoroscopic control. Any motion indicated a pseudarthrosis. Lumbosacral stability was evaluated by serial roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis after fusion and after instrumentation removal. During instrumentation removal the mechanical stress test under fluoroscopic control did not indicate pseudarthrosis. After instrumentation removal, roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis measurements revealed a nonsignificant increase in lumbosacral micromotions within the fused segment with 0.14, 0.31, and 0.44 mm in the transverse, vertical, and sagittal axes, respectively. The internal fixator could be removed without endangering the stability of the fusion. Direct surgical exploration confirmed the adequacy of roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis as a reliable in vivo method to evaluate lumbosacral stability after anteroposterior fusion.

Painful accessory bones of the foot.

Sesamoid bones and secondary centers of ossification account for the accessory bones of the foot, and there is a wide range of frequency with which these different ossicles appear. They are usually incidental asymptomatic findings on imaging studies, and their clinical importance lies in not mistaking them for fractures. Occasionally these ossicles can become painful due to fracture, degenerative changes, avascular necrosis, and irritation or impingement of adjacent soft tissue.

Anterior internal impingement

Purpose: The source of pain in patients with a stable shoulder and clinical signs of impingement is traditionally thought to be subacromial or outlet impingement, as popularized by Neer. This report introduces the concept of anterior internal impingement in patients with signs and symptoms of classic impingement syndrome and arthroscopic evidence of articular-side partial rotator cuff tear. Contact that occurs between the fragmented undersurface of the rotator cuff and the anterosuperior labrum is the apparent source of pain in these patients. Type of Study: Case series. Methods: Ten patients with a primary symptom of pain and an arthroscopic finding of a partial rotator cuff tear were reviewed. Arthroscopic visualization of the subacromial space revealed no evidence of subacromial impingement or bursitis in any patient. All patients had clinical signs and symptoms of classic impingement. The initial part of the surgical procedure consisted of a complete diagnostic arthroscopy in a low-volume gas medium using a single posterior portal. While performing the Hawkins test, the locations of any areas of abnormal soft-tissue contact and impingement were observed directly. Results: There was anterior internal impingement in all 10 patients with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. The abnormal and fragmented rotator cuff tissue made contact with the anterior superior labrum when the shoulder was visualized from the posterior portal while performing the Hawkins test. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging correctly showed a partial-thickness rotator cuff tear in 20% of the cases. Conclusions: Recognition of anterior internal impingement as a clinical entity is important because magnetic resonance imaging results are often misleading. This is of particular importance in young patients with isolated lesions in whom arthroscopic acromioplasty and capsular reefing procedures would be unnecessary. When anterior internal impingement is recognized as the source of unresolved shoulder pain, patient selection for surgery and procedure selection can be improved.

Treatment of the unstable total hip arthroplasty using modularity, soft tissue, and allograft reconstruction

This is a retrospective analysis of a stepwise approach to the treatment of the unstable total hip arthroplasty. Thirty-two hips in 32 patients were analyzed 9 months to 7 years (average, 3.6 years) after reoperation for instability. Half of the patients underwent revisions of primary total hip arthroplasties, and the other half underwent multiple procedures. Of the patients, 26 dislocated posteriorly, 4 dislocated anteriorly, and 2 were multidirectional. The commonest cause for the dislocation was soft tissue deficiency (n = 17). Other common causes included anterior soft tissue impingement (n = 10), unsatisfactory head-to-neck ratio (n = 5), hypoanteversion of the socket (n = 4), and deficient abductor mechanism (n = 4). Multiple causes were present in 75% of the patients, with a combination of 2 (48%) or ≥3 (28%) factors of instability. Management of the instability by addressing the soft tissue and modification of modular components was successful in 25 patients and unsuccessful in 1 patient. Three unstable hips were treated successfully with an innovative soft tissue augmentation using an Achilles tendon–bone allograft.

Modular component exchange for treatment of recurrent dislocation of a total hip replacement in selected patients.

Exchange of modular components is a treatment option for the correction of recurrent dislocation of a total hip replacement. In this study, we reviewed our experience with this technique in order to define patient selection criteria and to report the outcome of treatment. Of 2935 hips treated with primary porous-coated total hip arthroplasty, fourteen (in fourteen patients) that met certain preoperative and intraoperative criteria were treated with modular component exchange because of recurrent hip instability. The primary arthroplasties in these fourteen patients had been performed through a posterior approach. At the revisions, we removed any sources of osseous or soft-tissue impingement that contributed to dislocation. Acceptable stability at the completion of component exchange was defined as stability in maximum flexion, in full extension with external rotation, and in at least 45 degrees of internal rotation with the hip in 90 degrees of flexion and maximum adduction. One patient was lost to follow-up. At a mean of 5.8 years (range, 2.8 to 11.8 years) after the revision, ten of the remaining thirteen patients had not had a dislocation. Of the three patients in whom the hip dislocated after the modular component exchange, only one had recurrent dislocation; thus, recurrent dislocation was eliminated in twelve of thirteen patients. In selected cases, modular component exchange for the treatment of recurrent hip dislocation has a success rate comparable with that of more extensive operations. This method should be considered because it avoids the morbidity associated with revision of well-fixed components. However, to ensure the appropriateness of this surgical option, each patient must be thoroughly evaluated to identify all factors that contribute to instability and adequate intraoperative stability must be achieved.

Arthroscopic treatment of anterior impingement in the ankle.

We performed a prospective study to assess the long-term outcome of 57 arthroscopic debridement procedures carried out to treat anterior impingement in the ankle. Using preoperative radiographs, we grouped patients according to the extent of their osteoarthritis (OA). The symptoms of those with grade-0 changes could be attributed to anterior soft-tissue impingement alone. Patients with grade-I disease had both anterior soft-tissue and osteophytic impingement, but no narrowing of the joint space. In those with grade-II OA, narrowing of the joint space was accompanied by osteophytic impingement. Radiographs taken before and after operation and at follow-up were compared to assess the recurrence of osteophytes and the progression of narrowing of the joint space. At a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (5 to 8) all patients without OA had excellent or good results. There were excellent or good results in 77% of patients with grade-I OA, despite partial or complete recurrence of osteophytes in two-thirds. In most patients with grade-II OA, narrowing of the joint space had not progressed at follow-up. There was a notable improvement in pain in these patients, 53% of whom had excellent or good results. Although some osteophytes recurred, at long-term follow-up arthroscopic excision of soft-tissue overgrowths and osteophytes proved to be an effective way of treating anterior impingement of the ankle in patients who had no narrowing of the joint space.

Arthroscopic treatment of anterior impingement in the ankle

We performed a prospective study to assess the long-term outcome of 57 arthroscopic debridement procedures carried out to treat anterior impingement in the ankle. Using preoperative radiographs, we grouped patients according to the extent of their osteoarthritis (OA). The symptoms of those with grade-0 changes could be attributed to anterior soft-tissue impingement alone. Patients with grade-I disease had both anterior soft-tissue and osteophytic impingement, but no narrowing of the joint space. In those with grade-II OA, narrowing of the joint space was accompanied by osteophytic impingement. Radiographs taken before and after operation and at follow-up were compared to assess the recurrence of osteophytes and the progression of narrowing of the joint space. At a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (5 to 8) all patients without OA had excellent or good results. There were excellent or good results in 77% of patients with grade-I OA, despite partial or complete recurrence of osteophytes in two-thirds. In most patients with grade-II OA, narrowing of the joint space had not progressed at follow-up. There was a notable improvement in pain in these patients, 53% of whom had excellent or good results. Although some osteophytes recurred, at long-term follow-up arthroscopic excision of soft-tissue overgrowths and osteophytes proved to be an effective way of treating anterior impingement of the ankle in patients who had no narrowing of the joint space.