The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of arthroscopic unilateral surgery and simultaneous bilateral surgery for posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) in athletes and to evaluate the usefulness of simultaneous bilateral surgery. A total 48 hindfeet of 41 athletes (14 hindfeet of 14 males, 34 hindfeet of 27 females) who underwent arthroscopic surgery for PAIS were studied. Japanese society for surgery of the foot (JSSF) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were compared before and after surgery, using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The operation time and the time to return to sports activity were compared in 10 hindfeet of 5 patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral surgery and 38 hindfeet of 36 patients who underwent unilateral surgery, using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Classic ballet was the most common type of sport that caused PAIS (59%, 24/41 athletes). Soccer (10%, 4/41 athletes), baseball (10%, 4/41 athletes), badminton (5%, 2/41 athletes), volleyball (5%, 2/41 athletes), and athletics (5%, 2/41 athletes) followed. The JSSF score improved significantly from 72.7 preoperatively to 98.9 postoperatively in unilateral surgery, and significantly improved from 75.2 preoperatively to 99.0 postoperatively in simultaneous bilateral surgery. VAS significantly decreased from 64.7 preoperatively to 4.8 postoperatively in unilateral surgery, and significantly decreased from 72.7 preoperatively to 1.0 postoperatively in simultaneous bilateral surgery. The operating time was 53.7 minutes on average for unilateral surgery and 101.0 minutes for simultaneous bilateral surgery, significantly longer in bilateral simultaneous surgery. The mean time to return to sports activity was 4.8 weeks for unilateral surgery and 9.6 weeks for simultaneous bilateral surgery, significantly longer in simultaneous bilateral surgery. Both unilateral and simultaneous bilateral surgeries for PAIS in athletes were useful. It should be noted that the operating time and the time to return to sports will be longer. However, considering the 2 times hospitalizations and 2 times surgeries, simultaneous bilateral surgery is one of the treatment options for PAIS

Introduction: When conservative treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) fails, operative intervention is indicated. Traditionally this involved an open approach. More recently posterior ankle arthroscopy has been employed. We report the first series of results from an exclusively elite athlete population. Method: We looked retrospectively at a prospectively compiled database of a consecutive series of elite professional soccer players on whom we have performed posterior ankle arthroscopy for both bony and soft tissue PAIS over the past 5 years. We reviewed our clinical and operative notes and those of the Football Association medical team. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc for Windows, version 9.6.4 (MedCalc software, Mariakerke, Belgium). Results: One player was lost to follow up leaving 27 out of 28 players in the study. The mean time to return to training post operatively was 34 days (24–54) and to playing was 41 days (29–72). Significant correlations were found between the length of symptoms and the number of pre operative injections (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.806. p< 0.001) and the length of symptoms pre-operatively and return to training (Correlation coefficient = 0.383. p=0.048) and return to play (Correlation coefficient = 0.385. p=0.048). Return to training was significantly faster after soft tissue debridement with FHL release than after bony surgery (p=0.046 Kruskal-Wallis test). There was one surgical complication in the form of a persistent portal leakage. This was successfully treated by resting the ankle in a boot for 2 weeks. One patient had recurrent symptoms 3 months after surgery; this was successfully treated with an ultrasound guided injection. There were no infections and no neurovascular injuries. Conclusion: Posterior ankle arthroscopy is safe and effective in the treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome in the elite soccer player with return to training expected at an average of 5 weeks

Introduction: Arthroscopic management of posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) is now commonly practiced. Scanty information about the results of this procedure in a district hospitals is available. Aim: We present the results of our series of patients treated with hindfoot arthroscopy for PAIS, and describe the complications encountered. Patients and Method: Twenty procedures were performed on 19 patients (12 males, 7 females) between January 2006 and September 2008. Patients were followed up for an average of 7.9 months. Return to sport, patient satisfaction, relief of symptoms and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hind-foot score were all assessed. Results: Procedures performed included excision of an os trigonum, flexor hallucis longus decompression, and microfracture of the posterior talus. The average age of the patients was 35 years. Return to activity occurred at an average of 4 weeks. Four patients were dissatisfied, 1 was unsure and all the other patients were satisfied with their outcome. The average pre-operative AOFAS score was 73.8 and the post operative score was 84.5. There were no neurovascular injuries. Conclusion: There was a significant incidence of dissatisfied patients in the absence of major complications. This might reflect technical difficulties early in the early learning curve for this procedure

Aims: To clarify correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and pathology of pain in posterior aspect of the ankle in ballet dancers. Methods: Twenty feet of þfteen patients, who underwent surgery with the average age of 19.2 years, were retrospectively analyzed. They were diagnosed as ßexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon injury or posterior ankle impingement (PAI) syndrome mainly based on physical signs. MRI þndings of FHL tendon were classiþed with the classiþcation of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction presented by Conti et al., and were compared with macroscopic changes of the tendon. FHL injuries were classiþed as follows; paratendinitis as grade-1, superþcial injury (< 1/2 thickness) as grade-2, and deep injury as grade-3. MRI þndings of PAI syndrome were also compared to surgical and histological þndings. Results: Correlation of FHL tendon injury with MRI þndings was presented on the table. There was a case with a ganglion cyst of FHL tendon presented on MRI. There were, however, two cases with ganglions on þbro-osseous tunnel MRI could not reveal. In four feet of three patients, bone marrow edema in os trigonum or posterior part of the talus was observed. Conclusion: MRI was useful to investigate the pathology of pain in posterior aspect of the ankle