IADMS Miami 2000   [back to the Category]

Arthroscopic Treatment of Anterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome in Dancers   [read the french version]

Author :   Donald J. Rose, M.D., and Aneel Nihal, M.D.

Authors: Donald J. Rose, M.D., and Aneel Nihal, M.D., Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY, USA

Ankle arthroscopy was used for treatment of anterior ankle impingement in 11 elite dancers (12 ankles). There were 7 women and 4 men (age: mean, 28 ± 6 years; range, 20 to 41 years). In 6 (50%) ankles, soft tissue impingement only (hypertrophic synovitis or impinging distal fascicle of the inferior band of the anterior tibiofibular ligament) was noted, and in 6 (50%) ankles, a bony spur was also present on the anterior lip of the tibia and/or dorsal aspect of the talar neck. Resection of bony spurs and excision of hypertrophic soft tissue and synovium was performed arthroscopically. Nine (82%) of the 11 patients returned to dance after an average period of 7 weeks (range, 6 to 11 weeks). There were no wound infections or neuromas. One ankle with soft tissue impingement developed postoperative stiffness despite physical therapy, and underwent repeat arthroscopy for excision of adhesions and scar tissue 4 months after the initial procedure; this dancer subsequently returned to competitive dance. Another ankle had a second arthroscopic debridement for recurrent spur formation, 9 years after the first arthroscopic excision; this dancer retired from dance performance after the first arthroscopy because of concurrent knee and back problems, but he continued at a lower activity level as a dance teacher. In summary, arthroscopic debridement was effective in the management of anterior ankle impingement in dancers.

This is the abstract of a paper presented at the Tenth Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, held 27-29 October 2000 in Miami, Florida, USA. All rights are reserved by the individual author(s).