CURRENT CONCEPTS IN ANKLE ARTHROSCOPY

Ankle arthroscopy has rapidly become an important diagnostic and thera peutic procedure. Currently, indications for operative arthroscopy inc lude transchondral talar dome fractures, acute articular fractures wit h hemarthrosis, posttraumatic synovitis, loose bodies, inflammatory sy novitis, degenerative joint disease, and soft tissue impingement. Diag nostic arthroscopy is indicated for the patient with a chronically pai nful, symptomatic ankle when nonoperative treatment has failed and oth er measures have failed to produce a diagnosis. Three standard portals are used for routine ankle arthroscopy and allow a systematic examina tion of the joint. Mechanical distraction may be required to visualize the entire joint, the tight ankle, the ankle with posterior lesions, or to allow operative instruments to be introduced. The use of lasers in arthroscopy has yet to be clearly defined. The small size of the la ser is an advantage in the ankle, but cost remains a disadvantage. Adv ances in technique and equipment will continue to expand the indicatio ns for this procedure.