Ankle joint arthroscopy for meniscoid lesions in athletes.

The meniscoid lesion is a frequent but not well known cause of persistent pain in the anterior part of the upper ankle in sports traumatology. It has been described as portions of hyalinized tissue following an inversion sprain of the ankle. Trapping of this formation between the lateral cheek of the talus and the fibula is supposed to be responsible for pain and other symptoms reported by the patient. In 59 arthroscopic procedures on the ankle joint in athletes, meniscoid lesions were seen in 19 cases. Only 1 of these 19 patients showed lateral and anterior instability, and frequent clinical symptoms were swelling and trapping. Intraoperatively, all meniscoid lesions were combined with synovitis. Chondromalacia and osteophytes were seen several times. After an average follow-up period of 12 months, 14 patients could be examined. Twelve of the athletes returned to full sports activity; 10 were very satisfied, 2 satisfied, and 2 unsatisfied. Nine patients did not complain of any swelling, 4 did so on rare occasions, and 1 complained persistently. No pain was reported 10 times, improvement of pain 3 times, and continuing persistent pain 1 time, probably because of simultaneous chondromalacia and osteophytes. These were found more frequently in patients with a longer case history and unsuccessful conservative treatment, so that early arthroscopic surgery is recommended.