Surgical treatment for posterior ankle impingement.

PURPOSE: This study aims to provide an overview of both the open and endoscopic procedures used to treat posterior ankle impingement, as well as an analysis, evaluation, and comparison of their outcomes.

METHODS: A systematic literature search of the Medline, Embase (Classic), and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases and the Cochrane Database of Clinical and Randomized Controlled Trials was performed. Quality of included studies was assessed by use of the Downs and Black scale.

RESULTS: After we reviewed 783 studies, 16 trials met the inclusion criteria. Of these trials, 6 reported on open surgical techniques and 10 evaluated endoscopic techniques. The complication rate (15.9% v 7.2%) and time to return to full activity (16.0 weeks v 11.3 weeks) differed between the 2 groups, both favoring endoscopic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Although the level of evidence of the included studies is relatively low, it can be concluded that the endoscopic technique is superior to the open procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.