Anteromedial impingement in the ankle joint: outcomes following arthroscopy.
BACKGROUND
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.


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


METHODS
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Arthroscopic resection for anteromedial impingement provides excellent functional outcomes, thereby allowing the athlete an expedited return to sport at previous levels of competition.
Murawski
Christopher D
CD
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA. murawskic@hss.edu
Kennedy
John G
JG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005096:Exostoses / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000601:surgery; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010146:Pain; D012916:Soccer; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult