Arthroscopic treatment of anterior impingement of the ankle.

We report the results of the arthroscopic treatment of anterior ankle impingement in 13 consecutive subjects. Our patients were treated conservatively for an average period of 30 months, ranging from 2 to 120 months. They did not respond to corticosteroid infiltrations, NSAIDS or physical therapy. Debridement consisting of the removal of the bony spurs with a burr and shaving of hypertrophic synovial tissue was carried out. All 13 patients were reviewed 3 to 41 months after the operation, with a mean follow-up of 19 months. Of the ankles, 92% showed good (38%) or excellent (54%) results. Only one ankle rated fair. Out of the 13 patients, 10 went back to their preoperative sports after a mean of 4 months. We had no complications. In patients where conservative management fails, arthroscopic debridement of the anterior ankle compartment is an effective treatment.