POSTERIOR ANKLE IMPINGEMENT

Thirty cases of posterior ankle impingement in 28 patients were treate d over a 10-year period (1982-1992). All conditions were caused by for ced plantar flexion. An os trigonum or posterior process fracture was demonstrated radiographically in 63% of these cases, and an intact pos terior process was demonstrated in 33%. Ten cases were lost to follow- up. Of the remaining 20 cases, in 18 patients 12 (60%) improved with n onoperative treatment; 8 (40%) required operative excision. The result s were good to excellent in 7 patients and fair in 1 patient. Operativ e excision for the treatment of recalcitrant posterior ankle impingeme nt can relieve symptoms and allow a return to full preinjury activitie s.