We reviewed the results of ankle arthroscopy in a group of 9 elite athletes (11 ankles) to determine their ability to return to sport and their overall outcome. All athletes who competed professionally or internationally in a Tegner level 9 or greater sport and had an ankle arthroscopy following a severe ankle sprain were included. All patients had a history of injury during sport and symptoms that prevented high-level performance. The mean duration of symptoms was 4.9 months. All had failed a trial of physiotherapy and seven of the ankles had failed to improve after a steroid injection. The principle intra-operative findings included 7 chondral lesions in the tibial plafond, 2 lesions in the talar dome, 1 lesion in the medial malleolus, and 1 soft tissue impingement lesion. Follow-up averaged 17 months. All of the patients returned to their pre-injury level of competition. The mean time to return to full training was 6 weeks. All patients said they would undergo the same procedure again. Patients were enthusiastic about their result in 7 cases and satisfied in 4. Assessment using the scale of Martin et al revealed 8 good results and 3 fair. Those with larger lesions tended to do less well. There were no poor results and no complications. Ankle arthroscopy is useful in the evaluation and treatment of chondral injuries in the elite athlete. Good relief of symptoms and full return to activity can be expected in the majority of cases.
© Copyright 1999 5th IOC World Congress on Sport Sciences with the Annual Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport 1999. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.