[Operative arthroscopy of the ankle. 107 cases]

Ankle arthroscopy was performed in 127 patients. It was possible to evaluate 107 of these patients. Follow-up covered a mean period of 39 months (12 to 94 months). A figure of 80% good results was found in disorders such as osteochondral fractures of the dome of the talus, anterior osteophytosis of the tibia or after synovectomy with arthroscopic direct vision in synovial diseases such as benign tumours or chronic inflammatory rheumatism. The role of arthroscopy in ankle instability and in osteoarthrosis is declined. This endoscopic procedure is associated with a 13% postoperative complication rate, the most serious being a permanent neurological lesion and septic arthritis.