Jordi Vega

Anatomy of the ankle ligaments: a pictorial essay

Understanding the anatomy of the ankle ligaments is important for correct diagnosis and treatment. Ankle ligament injury is the most frequent cause of acute ankle pain. Chronic ankle pain often finds its cause in laxity of one of the ankle ligaments. In this pictorial essay, the ligaments around the ankle are grouped, depending on their anatomic orientation, and each of the ankle ligaments is discussed in detail.

All-inside arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament repair for ankle instability with a knotless suture anchor technique.

Background: Recently, arthroscopic-assisted techniques have been described to treat lateral ankle instability with excellent results. However, complications including neuritis of the superficial peroneal or sural nerve, and pain or discomfort due to a prominent anchor or suture knot have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe a novel technique, the “all-inside arthroscopic lateral collateral ankle ligament repair,” and its results for treating patients with ankle instability. Methods: Sixteen patients (10 men and 6 women, mean age 29.3 years, 17-46) with lateral ankle instability were treated with an arthroscopic procedure. Using a suture passer and a knotless anchor, the ligaments were repaired with an all-inside technique. The right ankle was affected in 10 cases. Mean follow-up was 22.3 (12-35) months. Results: On arthroscopic examination, 13 patients had an isolated anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury, and in 3 patients, both the ATFL and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) were affected. All-inside arthroscopic anatomic repair of the lateral collateral ligament complex was performed in all cases. All patients reported subjective improvement of their ankle instability. The mean AOFAS score increased from 67 preoperatively to 97 at final follow-up. No major complications were reported. Conclusion: The all-inside arthroscopic ligament repair was a safe, reliable, and reproducible technique that both provided an anatomic repair of the lateral collateral ligament complex and restored ankle stability while preserving all the advantages of an arthroscopic technique. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Endoscopic treatment for chronic Achilles tendinopathy

UNLABELLED This study presents our experience and results in patients with Achilles tendinopathy treated with an endoscopic technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eight patients with chronic tendinopathy of the Achilles underwent endoscopic treatment. A distal portal is created 2 cm proximal of the lateral margin of the tendon insertion. A slotted cannula is inserted in a proximal direction and toward the midline. A 4.5 mm diameter arthroscope is advanced through the cannula. An additional portal, equidistant to the lateral portal, can be created at the medial distal level if we need to access the most medial and distal part of the tendon. Pathological tissue is eliminated while performing multiple longitudinal tenotomies with a retrograde knife blade. Clinical outcome was assessed according to the Nelen scale. RESULTS Clinical results were scored as excellent, with all patients able to return to pre-procedure sports activity without limitations. There were no complications in any case. CONCLUSION Endoscopic treatment yielded satisfactory results with lower morbidity than other reported techniques.

Tendoscopic treatment of intrasheath subluxation of the peroneal tendons.

Background: Intrasheath subluxation of the peroneal tendons does not have an injury of the proximal retinaculum. The aim of this study was to describe the tendoscopic technique and preliminary results. Methods: Six patients with intrasheath subluxation of the peroneal tendons were treated tendoscopically. All patients had preoperative pain and a clicking sensation at the lateral retromalleolar area. Mean followup was 18.3 (range, 14 to 24) months. These six patients included three males and three females, with a mean age of 23.5 (range, 18 to 33) years. The AOFAS and Visual Analog Score for pain were used to evaluate the patients. Results: During tendoscopy, two patients had a peroneus quartus tendon which was removed; three had a low-lying peroneus brevis muscle that was resected; and in two cases deepening of the peroneal groove was performed. At followup, all patients reported excellent results, without pain or clicking sensation. The mean AOFAS score increased from 79 to 99, and Visual Analog Score at followup was 0 in four patients and 1 in two patients. Conclusion: Tendoscopic treatment of these pathologies led to improved function in a less aggressive manner than open surgery. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series

Tendoscopic groove deepening for chronic subluxation of the peroneal tendons.

Introduction: Recurrent subluxation of the peroneal tendons over the lateral malleolus is an uncommon disabling condition in young people involved in sports. Injury to the superior peroneal retinaculum, sometimes in association with a shallow fibular groove, can lead to this condition. There are several surgical treatments for recurrent peroneal tendon subluxation, but no tendoscopy technique has been reported to date. The aim of this study was to describe a tendoscopic groove-deepening technique and its results for treating patients with recurrent subluxation of the peroneal tendons. Methods: Seven patients (3 women and 4 men; mean age 26.4 [21-32] years) with chronic subluxation of the peroneal tendons were treated with a tendoscopic procedure. All patients experienced pain at the lateral retromalleolar area and recurrent subluxation of the peroneal tendons. The right ankle was affected in 4 patients. Mean follow-up was 15.4 (8-25) months. Results: On tendoscopic examination, all patients had a flat fibular groove, and the superior peroneal retinaculum was found to be detached in 4 cases. Three patients had a superficial injury of the peroneus brevis tendon which was debrided. Tendoscopic deepening of the peroneal groove without superior peroneal retinaculum repair was performed in all cases. None of the patients experienced recurrent subluxation during follow-up. The AOFAS score increased from 75 preoperatively to 93 at final follow-up. No complications were reported in any case. Conclusion: Tendoscopic deepening of the fibular groove was a reproducible, minimally invasive technique that provided a favorable outcome for recurrent subluxation of the peroneal tendons in our limited number of patients. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Anatomy of the triceps surae: a pictorial essay.

Gastrocnemius contracture has recently gained relevance owing to its suggested relationship with foot disorders such as metatarsalgia, plantar fasciopathy, hallux valgus, and others. Consequently this has induced a renewed interest in surgical lengthening techniques, including proximal gastrocnemius release, to resolve gastrocnemius contracture in patients with foot disorders. This article describes and discusses the general anatomy of the triceps surae and the surgical anatomy of the gastrocnemius.

Hindfoot endoscopy for the treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome: a safe and reproducible technique.

INTRODUCTION Posterior ankle impingement is a clinical syndrome characterized by posterior ankle pain that is mainly presented on plantar flexion. The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the results of posterior ankle impingement treated by endoscopic hindfoot posterior portals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2004 and 2009, a total of 38 endoscopic hindfoot procedures were performed to treat posterior ankle impingement. The indication for procedure was posterior ankle impingement syndrome in all cases. There were 38 patients, 17 females and 21 males. Mean age was 27.6 years (16-59 years). Mean follow-up was 27.6 months (12.5-52 months). The results were evaluated following the AOFAS score. Data statistical analysis was performed using the Students t-test. RESULTS The main preoperative AOFAS score increased from 67.42 (range 41-91) to 97.13 (range 84-100) at follow-up. No complications were reported in any case. CONCLUSION Hindfoot endoscopy is a reproducible and safe procedure which offers excellent outcomes in posterior ankle impingement syndrome.

True submalleolar accessory ossicles causing impingement of the ankle

True ossicle in the distal portion of the malleolus is only sporadically observed, and related disease has been rarely reported. We present two cases of atypical ankle impingement resulting from an ankle sprain. Plain radiographs revealed true submalleolar ossicles. Conservative treatment failed, and arthroscopy was performed. Instability of the ossicle and surrounding fibrotic soft tissue was evident; a gap between the ossicle and the tip of the malleolus seen during plantar flexion of the ankle disappeared in dorsal flexion, resulting in compression of the surrounding soft tissue. Arthroscopic excision of the accessory ossicle relieved the symptoms and enabled both patients to return to full preinjury activities.

Tendoscopic Procedure Associated With Peroneal Tendons

Tendoscopy of the peroneal tendons is a useful tool to diagnose and treat peroneal tendon disorders. It provides a minimally invasive alternative to the already existing open surgical approaches. Tendoscopic approaches are safe when anatomic landmarks are identified and the portals are performed properly. Advantages of endoscopic procedures over open surgical procedures include reduced morbidity and postoperative pain, earlier mobilization, and better cosmetic results. Results of tendoscopic procedures are encouraging when compared with those following open surgery of the peroneal tendons. This article presents safe, reliable, and reproducible peroneal tendoscopy techniques.

Flexor Digitorum Accessorius Longus: Importance of Posterior Ankle Endoscopy

Endoscopy for the posterior region of the ankle through two portals is becoming more widespread for the treatment of a large number of conditions which used to be treated with open surgery years ago. The tendon of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) travels along an osteofibrous tunnel between the posterolateral and posteromedial tubercles of the talus. Chronic inflammation of this tendon may lead to painful stenosing tenosynovitis. The aim of this report is to describe two cases depicting an accessory tendon which is an anatomical variation of the flexor hallucis longus in patients with posterior friction syndrome due to posterior ankle impingement and associated with a posteromedial osteochondral lesion of the talus. The anatomical variation (FDAL) described was a finding during an endoscopy of the posterior region of the ankle, and we have spared it by sectioning the superior flexor retinaculum only. The accessory flexor digitorum longus is an anatomical variation and should be taken into account when performing an arthroscopy of the posterior region of the ankle. We recommend this treatment on this type of injury although we admit this does not make a definite conclusion.