Anteromedial impingement in the ankle joint: outcomes following arthroscopy

Arthroscopic debridement is a well-accepted method of removing osseous and/or soft tissue impingement from the ankle joint. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case series reporting the outcomes following arthroscopic resection of anteromedial impingement.

The authors report the results at a minimum 2-year follow-up of 41 patients who underwent arthroscopic resection for anteromedial impingement.

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Arthroscopic surgery for anteromedial impingement was performed on 43 patients under the care of the senior surgeon between January 2005 and July 2007; 41 patients were included in the present study. All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot and Short Form 36 (SF-36v2) outcome scores. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 31.12 years (range, 13-57 years). The mean follow-up time was 34.41 months (range, 24-52 months). Thirty-four patients (83%) were competing at some level of athletic sport.

Thirty-eight patients (93%) were satisfied with the procedure. The AOFAS scores improved from 62.83 points preoperatively to 91.17 points postoperatively (range, 61-100 points) (P < .001). The SF-36v2 scores improved from 61.54 points preoperatively to 92.21 points postoperatively (range, 58-100 points) (P = .002). All but 1 patient returned to their prior level of sporting activity. Three patients (7%) reported a complication.

Arthroscopic resection for anteromedial impingement provides excellent functional outcomes, thereby allowing the athlete an expedited return to sport at previous levels of competition.