["Footballer's ankle". Results of arthroscopic treatment of anterior talocrural "impingement"].

INTRODUCTION: Footballer's ankle may be caused by anterior talocrural impingement of exostosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of arthroscopic resection of exostosis, which was performed in our department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 17 consecutive cases of arthroscopic surgery for the bony impingement. The patients were 17 men, with an average age of 34 years. All reported pain and limited dorsiflexion in the talocrural joint. Resection of exostosis at the distal range of tibia and partial synovectomy were performed in all cases. The postoperative range of movement was evaluated after an average of eight weeks. To complete the material, we conducted a telephone interview concerning pain and return to sports. RESULTS: Dorsiflexion had objectively improved in 59%. Seventy per cent reported less pain in the ankle after surgery, whereas 59% of the patients returned to sports, 23% had given up, because of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: In cases where anterior talocrural impingement is the cause of the symptoms, arthroscopic resection of exostosis is a safe and reasonably effective treatment. The best effect was seen on pain, whereas only half of the patients had improved movement.