Ankle joint arthroscopy. A retrospective analysis of complications

The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyse the complications of our arthroscopic procedures at the ankle joint. In all patients we evaluat ed the treatment protocols and in 111 patients (79,3%) we also evaluated th e clinical and radiologic results. All in all we have found complications i n 14 patients. In 4 cases we have seen a delayed wound healing, in 2 cases a superficial infection, in 3 cases a deep infection, in 3 cases a neural d amage and in 2 cases a phlebothrombosis. Our study show, that the complicat ion rate could be minimized by detailed knowledge of the anatomy, exact pre operative diagnostic and planing of the operation and careful preparation o f the portals. The use of a laser also shows a tendency to a lower complica tion rate.