Operative arthroscopy of the ankle. Three years' experience

This is a preliminary report on 15 cases of surgical arthroscopy of the ankle performed between 1979 and 1983. Age range of the patients was from 14 to 35 years. Follow-up examinations were performed between six months and two and one-half years after surgery, with an average of 14 months. The indications were pain or clicking sensations accompanied by painful limitation of motion for an average of three months. Chondral and osteochondral fracture of the talar dome were observed in nine cases; chondral and osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond in two cases; osteochondral loose bodies in two cases and; posttraumatic adhesions or arthritis was found in three cases. Treatment consisted of debridement of osteochondral lesions, removal of loose bodies, curettage, drilling, synovectomy, and abrasion of the subchondral bone. The results were assessed subjectively and objectively. Satisfactory overall results were obtained in 85% of the cases. There were no major complications. This study suggests that arthroscopic surgery has a definite role in the management of intra-articular lesions of the ankle. The results are reproducible if the arthroscopic surgeon pays proper attention to the anatomy of the area and is familiar with the use of different arthroscopic portals.