Lateral Ankle Gutter

Chapter 12 ankle arthroscopy ian g.

Lateral ankle gutter.

Parsons introduction arthroscopic surgery of the ankle and hindfoot is increasingly popular. However inadequate immobilization and rehabilitation may lead to chronic inflammation in the ligament resulting in formation of scar tissue. Ankle impingement can occur after traumatic ankle sprains or even fractures. 3 during an inversion ankle injury the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament are affected as is the distal syndesmosis.

Anterolateral impingement of the ankle is a relatively uncommon cause of chronic lateral ankle pain produced by entrapment of abnormal soft tissue in the anterolateral gutter of the ankle 2 4 fig. Arthroscopy for visualization of joints was reported in cadavers in 1931 this included the ankle1. The impingement process begins when an inversion sprain tears the anterior talofibular and or the calcaneofibular ligament. Anterolateral impingement is thought to occur subsequent to relatively minor inversion injuries of the ankle.

Anterolateral ankle impingement has been known under the term anterolateral meniscoid lesion which is the result of synovitis in the anterolateral gutter. The anterolateral ankle gutter is the most common site of ankle impingement. Anterolateral impingement syndrome of the ankle is caused by entrapment of the hypertrophic soft tissue in the lateral gutter. Winson and stephen w.

This irritation and hypertrophy of the tissue can cause pain with ankle dorsiflexion and subsequently symptoms with athletic activities. 3 over time a meniscoid lesion is often the result of the lateral ankle injury. The ligamentous injury is not severe enough to cause chronic instability.