[Peroneal tendoscopy: our experience].

BACKGROUND

The peroneal tendon pathology is a common cause of posterolateral ankle pain. Recently, the incidence and awareness of this disease and its treatment are booming thanks to the development of tendoscopic procedures.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and assess the current role and indications of tendoscopy for peroneal tendon pathology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From June 2010 to July 2011, twenty three patients with retrofibular pain were treated with peroneal tendoscopy. We founded twelve peroneal brevis tendon tears, six peroneal longus tendon tears, three cases of tenosynovitis and two cases of luxation, one patient with an intrasheath subluxation and another one of extrasheath. Of the 23 patients, 12 had another injury associated: 4 talar osteochondral lesions, 3 instabilities and 7 cases of soft tissue impingement.

DISCUSSION

The three main indications include tendon tears, tenosynovitis and subluxation or luxation. It is a technically demanding procedure that requires extensive experience in arthroscopic management of small joints and can be particularly complex in cases of wide tenosynovitis, broad tendon tears or anatomical defects but very useful for the evaluation of the lesions and for the treatment of peroneal tendon disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Tendoscopy is a useful procedure with low morbidity and excellent functional results to treat the pathology of the peroneal tendons.