title: Arthroscopic debridement of the ankle for mild to moderate osteoarthritis: a midterm follow-up study in former professional soccer players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to report the clinical and functional outcomes following arthroscopic management of anterior impingement, grade III-IV cartilage lesions, and mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the ankle in former soccer players.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 15 former male professional soccer players with mild to moderate degenerative changes of the ankle who had undergone arthroscopic debridement and management of secondary injuries of the ankle. Preoperatively and at the last follow-up, at an average of 7.4 years, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and the Kaikkonen scales and visual analogue scale (VAS) assessment were administered to all patients. Ankle osteoarthritis was assessed from weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of both ankles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At the last follow-up, the average AOFAS score had increased significantly from 48 (range, 29-69) to 86 (range, 63-94) (P < 0.0001), with good to excellent scores in 11 patients (74 %). The average Kaikkonen preoperative score of 43 (range, 28-70) had significantly improved to 85 (range, 61-95) (P < 0.0001), with good excellent scores in 11 patients (74 %). VAS values were also improved at the last follow-up. At the last appointment, only one (7 %) patient had abandoned altogether any sport, as he did not feel safe with his ankle and he felt too old to continue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior ankle arthroscopy for management of mild to moderate ankle arthritis is safe, effective, and low cost and allows former athletes to safely return to ordinary daily activities and recreational sport activities.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Arthroscopy and Sports Trauma Surgery, Hesperia Hospital, Via Arquà 80/b, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Osti
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Hospital Vaio, Via Tincati, Fidenza, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Buono
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. n.maffulli@qmul.ac.uk.|Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, UK. n.maffulli@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries