Arthroscopic treatment of sports-related synovitis of the ankle

Abstract

We describe nine cases of sports-related synovitis of the ankle joint with a followup of 24 to 44 months (average, 30.9). It affects young athletes and occurs after episodes of acute or recurrent inversion ankle sprains or undisplaced ankle fractures. The patients complain of morning pain and stiffness along with in creased pain and swelling with attempted athletic par ticipation. All ankles were stable and all failed to re spond to at least 6 months of conservative treatment. The technetium bone scans were positive in eight of the cases. During arthroscopy, a hypertrophic anterior- chamber synovitis was found and treated by arthro scopic partial synovectomy. The results were excellent in eight of the patients in whom symptoms resolved, allowing full return to their previous sports, and fair in one case. The only complication was one superficial wound infection.