Eight cases of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the foot and ankle are r
eported. The purpose of this study was to analyze the manifestation of pigm
ented villonodular synovitis in the foot and to evaluate treatment options.
There were four cases in the ankle and hindfoot, one in the first tarsomet
atarsal joint, and three in the toes. In seven of eight cases, diagnosis wa
s confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The tenosynovial for
m was found in the toes and the articular form in the hindfoot and ankle. S
urgical treatment was performed in all cases: one arthroscopically assisted
synovectomy in the ankle joint, two talocrural arthrodeses, one subtalar a
rthrodesis, one tarsometatarsal arthrodesis, and tumor removal on the toes
with arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint in two cases. Av
erage follow-up was 4 years. Recurrence occurred in one toe and led to part
ial amputation. Malunion in one ankle arthrodesis was operated on again wit
h no sign of recurrence. In the toes, the lesion had a tumoral feature; the
bone was infiltrated by soft tissue, and the surgical procedure was local
removal of the tumor. In the hindfoot, the lesions were intra-articular and
required synovectomy, usually with an arthrodesis, In the midfoot, there w
as a large extraosseous tumor surrounding tendons with destructive articula
r lesions.