ARTHROSCOPY FOR PROBLEMS AFTER ANKLE FRACTURE

From 1990 to 1994 we undertook arthroscopy of the ankle on 34 consecut ive patients with residual complaints following fracture. Two groups w ere compared prospectively, Group I comprised 18 patients with complai nts which could be attributed clinically to anterior bony or soft-tiss ue impingement, In group II the complaints of the 16 patients were mor e diffuse and despite extensive investigation the definitive diagnosis was not clear before arthroscopy, At the time of the fracture, some o steophytes were already present in 41% of the patients, These were rel ated to previous supination trauma and participation in soccer. Arthro scopic treatment consisted of removal of the anteriorly located osteop hytes and/or scar tissue, After two years, group I showed a significan tly better score for patient satisfaction (p = 0.02), There were good or excellent results in group I in 76% and group LI in 43%. Patients w ith residual complaints after an ankle fracture and clinical signs of anterior impingement may benefit from arthroscopic surgery, The place for diagnostic ankle arthroscopy is limited.