Outcomes After Arthroscopic Surgery for Anterior Impingement in the Ankle Joint in the General and Athletic Populations: Does Sex Play a Role?

Update on Ankle and Foot Impingement

Ankle impingement syndromes are a well-recognized cause of chronic ankle symptoms in both the elite athletic and general population. They comprise several distinct clinical entities with associated radiologic findings. Originally described in the 1950s, advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography have allowed musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologists to further their understanding of these syndromes and the range of imaging-associated features. Many subtypes of ankle impingement syndromes have been described, and precise terminology is critical to carefully separate these conditions and thus guide treatment options. These are divided broadly into intra-articular and extra-articular types, as well as location around the ankle. Although MSK radiologists should be aware of these conditions, the diagnosis remains largely clinical, with plain film or MRI used to confirm the diagnosis or assess a surgical/treatment target. The ankle impingement syndromes are a heterogeneous group of conditions, and care must be taken not to overcall findings. The clinical context remains paramount. Treatment considerations are patient symptoms, examination, and imaging findings, in addition to the patient's desired level of physical activity.

Relationship between the morphology of osteophytes and cartilage lesions in anterior ankle impingement in athletes: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to describe the frequency and severity of tram-track lesions in anterior ankle impingement in athletes and to evaluate the association between osteophyte morphology and severity of tram-track lesions, the distinctive cartilage lesions associated with tibial osteophytes in anterior ankle impingement syndrome.

METHODS

We evaluated 34 athletes who underwent arthroscopic osteophyte resection for anterior ankle impingement between January 2017 and March 2021.

RESULTS

We found tram-track lesions in 26 athletes (76.5%). Arthroscopic findings revealed the distribution of the International Cartilage Repair Society grades of tram-track lesions (grade 0, eight; grade 1, seven; grade 2, ten; grade 3, nine; grade 4, zero). These findings indicate that athletes with anterior ankle impingement syndrome may have more severe cartilage lesions than non-athletes. There was a positive correlation between the International Cartilage Repair Society grade and osteophyte size (r = 0.393, p = 0.021). We divided athletes into two groups according to the presence or absence of osteophyte protrusion into the joint space. Osteophyte protrusion was present in 14 athletes (41.2%). All athletes in the protrusion-type group had tram-track lesions; seven (50%) had International Cartilage Repair Society grade 3. The protrusion-type group's International Cartilage Repair Society grade was significantly higher than that of the non-protrusion-type group (p = 0.008). The osteophyte sizes in the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.341).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, osteophyte protrusion should be assessed when an indication of arthroscopic treatment for anterior ankle impingement syndrome is considered, particularly in athletes.

In-Office Needle Arthroscopy for the Treatment of Anterior Ankle Impingement Yields High Patient Satisfaction With High Rates of Return to Work and Sport

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of in-office needle arthroscopy (IONA) for the treatment of anterior ankle impingement in the office setting and also evaluate patient experience of the IONA procedure.

METHODS

A prospectively collected database of 31 patients undergoing IONA for the treatment of anterior ankle impingement between January 2019 and January 2021 was retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria for this study were patients ≥18 years of age, clinical history, physical examination, radiographic imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with anterior ankle impingement for which each patient underwent IONA and had a minimum of 12-month follow-up. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the following methods preoperatively and at final follow-up: the Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference and Pain Intensity domains. A 5-point Likert scale regarding patient satisfaction with their IONA procedure was evaluated at final follow-up. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare preoperative and postoperative outcome scores.

RESULTS

In total, 31 patients were included in this study, including 18 male and 13 female, with a mean age of 41.7 ± 15.5 years (range, 17-69 years) and mean body mass index of 27.3 ± 5.7 (range, 19.37-41.5). The mean follow-up time was 15.5 ± 4.9 months. The mean postoperative FAOS-reported symptoms, pain, daily activities, sports activities, and quality of life were 79.4 ± 11.9, 82.9 ± 15.3, 83.5 ± 15.4, 71.9 ± 18.5 and 64.3 ± 21.4 at final follow-up respectively. Minimal clinically important difference was achieved by 84% of patients for FAOS pain, 77% for FAOS symptoms, 75% for FAOS Quality of Life, 74% for FAOS sports, 65% for PROMIS Pain Interference, 61% for FAOS Activities of Daily Living, and 42% for PROMIS Pain Intensity. Lastly, 29 patients (94 %) expressed willingness to undergo the same procedure again.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study demonstrates that IONA treatment of anterior ankle impingement results in significant pain reduction, a low complication rate and excellent patient reported outcomes with high rates of return to work/sport. Additionally, IONA for anterior ankle impingement leads to high patient satisfaction with a significant willingness to undergo the same procedure again.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, Case series study.