Ankle Arthroscopy: II. Indications and Results.

Diagnostic indications for the use of ankle arthroscopy include unexplained pain, swelling, stiffness, instability, hemarthrosis, and locking or popping, as well as a negative workup in a patient with significant ankle symptoms unresponsive to conservative care. Therapeutic indications include injuries of the articular cartilage and soft tissue, bone impingement, debridement of soft-tissue lesions, synovectomy and loose-body removal, arthrofibrosis, ankle fractures, and osteochondral defects. Ankle arthroscopy can also be used in ankle-stabilization procedures and arthrodesis, as well as for irrigation and debridement of septic arthritis. An algorithm has been developed to facilitate selection of the appropriate treatment for a patient with chronic ankle pain of unknown etiology. When used for the appropriate indications, ankle arthroscopy appears to give good results.