Peroneal tendon irritation after arthroscopic modified Broström procedure: A case report

With the development of ankle arthroscope techniques and procedures, the number of arthroscopic modified Broström procedures (MBPs) is increasing. All-inside arthroscopic MBP was developed recently, with good to excellent results. However, several complications have been reported in patients after arthroscopic MBP. This case report describes a rare complication of arthroscopic MBP.

A 34-year-old woman presented with severe pain in her right ankle and underwent arthroscopic MBP for lateral ankle instability. About 6 months postoperatively, she presented with severe pain on the lateral aspect of the right ankle, especially while walking.

In physical examinations, there was marked swelling around the ankle and focal tenderness in the posterolateral malleolar area. Ankle ultrasonography showed a diffuse low-echoic mass-like lesion at the distal fibula between the fibular tip and peroneus tendon. T1-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging images showed an irregularly shaped mass-like lesion with a heterogeneous signal near the distal fibula posteriorly where the anchor protruded.

The suture anchor in the posterior distal fibula area, which had irritated the peroneus tendon, was removed with debridement of the granulomatous lesion.

At the 3-month follow-up, the patient was almost asymptomatic and had a nearly full range of motion. No complications or recurrent symptoms were noted at the 1-year follow-up.

Three-dimensional computed tomography studies of the appropriate fibular depth and position of suture anchors are needed to standardize the procedure and reduce complications.