Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow in Overhead Athletes: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the elbow mainly occurs in overhead athletes (OHAs). This narrative review aimed to comprehensively analyze the epidemiological data, etiological factors, clinical and imaging features, treatment options, and outcomes of OHAs with the diagnosis of elbow OCD. A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Individuals with elbow OCD were usually 10-17 years of age with incidence and prevalence varying between studies, depending on the sport activity of the patients. The etiology of OCD lesions is multifactorial, and the main causes are believed to be repetitive trauma, the biomechanical disproportion of the articular surfaces, poor capitellar vascular supply, and inflammatory and genetic factors. Athletes usually presented with elbow pain and mechanical symptoms. The mainstay for the diagnosis of elbow OCD is MRI. The treatment of elbow OCD lesions should be conservative in cases of stable lesions, while various types of surgical treatment are suggested in unstable lesions, depending mainly on the size and localization of the lesion. The awareness of medical practitioners and the timely diagnosis of OCD lesions in OHAs are key to favorable outcomes.

Ankle Arthroscopy Without Tourniquet: A Mid-Term Follow-Up.

Ankle arthroscopy is a surgical technique still most commonly performed with a tourniquet. In 2017, we published a randomized controlled trial comparing anterior ankle arthroscopy with and without the tourniquet use. The results showed feasibility of performing the anterior ankle arthroscopy without the tourniquet, as well as comparable functional outcomes at 3- and 6-month follow-up visits, regardless of the tourniquet use. The aim of the current study was to evaluate mid-term functional outcomes after a 5-year period and to document patient satisfaction with the surgery. All 49 available patients from the original study were asked to attend examination at the 60-month follow-up visit. Patients were assessed with the same functional scores, as well as with additional Munich Ankle Questionnaire (MAQ) to assess the postoperative subjective and objective outcome and Abdelatif questionnaire to evaluate patient satisfaction. Any new complications were noted. At the 60-month follow-up visit, 39 (79.6%) patients were available for examination. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the functional outcomes or the MAQ. In comparison with the 3- and 6-month follow-up visits, no further improvement or decline of functional outcomes was present. High patient satisfaction was found in both groups. No new complications were noted during the follow-up period. Similar improvement in both groups reveals that the anterior ankle arthroscopy can be performed without the tourniquet with no negative impact on mid-term functional outcomes. In addition, high patient satisfaction can be expected even after 5 years from surgery, regardless of the tourniquet use.

Arthroscopic resection of localized tenosynovial giant cell tumor in the deep infrapatellar bursa: a case report.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a rare disease characterized by the proliferation of the synovial membrane of a joint, tendon sheath, or bursa. TGCTs in joints are subdivided into the diffuse or localized type. The localized TGCT most frequently affects the knee and may occur in any knee compartment. The most common localization is the Hoffa's fat pad, followed by the suprapatellar pouch and the posterior capsule. Here, we describe a case of a histopathologically proven TGCT of the knee, found in an unusual localization in the deep infrapatellar bursa, which was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The tumor was entirely arthroscopically resected. The patient had no further complaints following the operation, and there was no recurrence at the 18-month follow-up. Even though TGCT of the knee is uncommon, it should not be overlooked by orthopedic and trauma surgeons, and excision should be regarded as a reliable treatment option. The form of surgical treatment, either open or arthroscopic, should be determined based on a combination of the surgeon's preference and the best approach to the anatomical location of the disease.

Hindfoot Endoscopy for the Treatment of Localized Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis.

Introduction: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare and benign proliferative lesion affecting synovial lining of joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. Depending on the extent of synovial involvement, two forms are distinguished, diffuse, and localized. Intra-articular localized form of PVNS (LPVNS) presents as a nodular, well circumscribed, pedunculated, or sessile soft-tissue mass. Case Presentation: We report a case of an unusual localization of LPVNS in posterior ankle recess in a 42-year-old male with concomitant anterior ankle impingement syndrome. To address both the posterior and the anterior ankle disorders the patient was treated with combined two-portal endoscopic hindfoot approach and anterior ankle arthroscopy within the same operative session. The hindfoot endoscopy encompassed complete removal of the localized mass, partial synovectomy of the area at the base of the lesion, removal of os trigonum, and a loose body impinged in the interval between tibia and fibula. The anterior ankle arthroscopy included removal of the osteophytes from the anterior distal tibia and dorsal talus. Patient continued his normal daily and sporting activities without any restrictions and no recurrence of LPVNS 2 years after the surgery. Conclusion: PVNS is an important clinical entity that should always be thought of as a differential diagnosis when treating patients with ankle disorders. Hindfoot endoscopy, when performed by an experienced ankle surgeon, is a safe and effective procedure for LPVNS of the posterior ankle recess, when deemed amenable to complete resection.

Arthroscopic removal as an effective treatment option for intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the knee.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular osteoid osteoma (iaOO) can be found in 5.2% up to 10% of cases. They may cause non-specific symptoms, mimicking degenerative or traumatic pathologies. If iaOO is left untreated, it may lead to severe muscle atrophy, tenderness, swelling, and limited range of motion. Therefore, surgical treatment is recommended. The main goal of surgical treatment is complete removal or destruction of iaOO. AIM: To evaluate the efficiency of arthroscopic removal of iaOO of the knee in our cases and cases available in the literature. METHODS: Analysis of available hospital records of four patients with iaOO of the knee treated by arthroscopic removal from August 2005 to December 2015 at our Department was performed. All patients had a diagnosis of iaOO confirmed by histopathologic analysis. Additional literature review of cases of iaOO of the knee available on PubMed and Google Scholar was made. All cases of iaOO of the knee treated by arthroscopic or arthroscopically assisted removal were reviewed in order to further evaluate the efficiency of the method. RESULTS: The average age of patients included in our study was 23.2 (range 16-37) years. The average duration of the symptoms prior to surgery was 14.2 (range 6-24) months. All of the patients had persistent knee pain. Three patients reported worsening of pain during the night, while two reported worsening of pain during activity. Three patients reported alleviation of pain on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), while one patient reported partial alleviation of pain on NSAIDs. No intraoperative complications were noted, and the postoperative period was uneventful in all patients. The patients reported immediate pain relief in the postoperative period. No recurrence of the disease was noted in any of the patients during the follow-up period of at least 24 mo. The literature review revealed 14 cases with an average age of 27.6 (range 16-48) years and onset of symptoms 27.7 (range 6-108) months prior to surgery, with recurrence of the disease noted in a single case. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic removal is an efficient treatment method that allows excision of iaOO that is neither insufficient nor excessive, thus avoiding disease recurrence while obtaining adequate material for histopathologic analysis.

Importance of Space-Occupying Anatomical Variations in Peroneal Tendoscopy.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that peroneal tendons disorders are more commonly associated with anatomical variations, which could overcrowd the retrofibular groove. METHODS: This single-center retrospective case study covered 84 consecutive cases that had undergone peroneal tendoscopy. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed on 82 patients, predominantly female (3:1) with a median age of 46 years. The preoperative evaluation and all the procedures were performed by a single surgeon using a standardized technique. RESULTS: Two patients required revision surgery 8 and 52 months after the index procedure due to persistent posterolateral ankle pain. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed as a solitary procedure in 45.1% (37/82) of cases, while the remaining cases involved peroneal tendoscopy as a supplementary procedure. Low-lying peroneus brevis muscle belly (LLMB) was the most common finding in this series in 53.7% (44/82) of cases. In 41.5% (34/82) of cases, longitudinal tears of the peroneus brevis tendon were noted. Some patients presented with more than 1 concomitant peroneal tendon pathology. The LLMB was observed in 23.5% (8/34) of cases with a longitudinal tear of the peroneus brevis tendon. CONCLUSION: Peroneal tendon anatomical variations, especially LLMB, were associated with the presence of peroneus brevis tendon ruptures and intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxations as well as posttraumatic posterolateral ankle pain. Due to high rates of undiagnosed and misdiagnosed cases of LLMB preoperatively, we believe special care should be taken to recognize it during tendoscopy. Peroneal tendoscopy is a high-efficiency, low-complication method to treat some peroneal tendon conditions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Anterior and Posterior Arthroscopic Treatment of Primary Synovial Chondromatosis of the Ankle.

BACKGROUND: Primary synovial chondromatosis (PSC) is a progressive disorder of unknown etiology resulting in formation of multiple loose bodies. If left untreated, it may lead to degenerative changes or malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma. METHODS: Seventeen patients who underwent combined posterior and anterior ankle arthroscopy within the same operative session and had histologically confirmed PSC were included in this retrospective study. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score was used to evaluate ankle function preoperatively and at a final follow-up. A 3-question survey was used to evaluate patient's satisfaction at the final follow-up. RESULTS: In 14 patients, loose bodies were found in both compartments of the ankle, in 2 only in the anterior compartment, and in 1 only in the posterior compartment. All patients had evident signs of synovial inflammation in both compartments. The AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score increased from the preoperative median score of 65 (range, 29-90) to 95 (range, 65-100) at the final follow-up. Fourteen patients reported they were extremely satisfied with the outcome, 1 was moderately satisfied, and 2 were dissatisfied. No cases of recurrence of synovitis or loose body formation were noted, nor any signs of malignant transformation during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: We believe the risk of recurrence of PSC, which is in close relation to malignant transformation, can be minimized by performing a complete synovectomy of the ankle. Our experience and review of literature makes us believe that ankle PSC should be regarded as a whole joint disorder. Performing a combined posterior and anterior arthroscopic procedure within the same operative session should always be considered in patients with ankle PSC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Accessory Soleus Muscle: Two Case Reports with a Completely Different Presentation Caused by the Same Entity.

Accessory soleus muscle (ASM) is a rare supernumerary anatomical variant that commonly presents as a posteromedial ankle swelling, which may become painful during physical activity. As it may mimic a soft tissue tumor, it is essential to differentiate this condition from ganglion, lipoma, hemangioma, synovioma, and sarcoma. However, ASM may also present with a painful syndrome, characterized by pain and paresthesia of the ankle and foot, mimicking the tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS). Two cases of ASM are presented in this article. The first case had a typical presentation with painful posteromedial ankle swelling. After the initial assessment, the diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ASM was treated by complete resection. The second case presented with pain and paresthesia in the right ankle and foot, but no swelling was noticeable. It was initially misdiagnosed by a rheumatologist and afterward overlooked on an MRI by a musculoskeletal radiology specialist and therefore mistreated by numerous physicians before being referred to our outpatient clinic. After further assessment, the diagnosis has been confirmed, and ASM was treated by complete resection combined with tarsal tunnel decompression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in which ASM caused symptoms but presented without posteromedial swelling. This might be due to a proximally positioned belly of the ASM, followed by a tendinous insertion on the medial side of the calcaneus.

Femoral head wear and metallosis caused by damaged titanium porous coating after primary metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty: a case report.

Excessive metal femoral head wear has been described only as revision surgery complication after primary ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty (THA). Here, we present the first case of metal femoral head wear after primary metal-on-polyethylene THA. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our outpatient clinic 17 years after primary right-sided THA, experiencing pain and decreased right hip range of motion. Radiographic examination revealed acetabular cup dislocation, eccentric femoral head wear, damaged titanium porous coating of femoral stem, metallosis, and pseudotumor formation. Endoprosthetic components were extracted, but further reconstruction was impossible due to presence of large acetabular bone defect. Macro- and micro-structure of extracted components were analyzed. Acetabular liner surface was damaged, with scratches, indentations, and embedded metal debris particles present on the entire inner surface. Analysis of metal debris by energy-dispersive spectroscopy showed that it consisted of titanium and stainless-steel particles. Femoral head was gravely worn and elliptically shaped, with abrasive wear visible under scanning electron microscope. No signs of trunnionosis at head/neck junction were observed. Microstructure of femoral head material was homogeneous austenitic, with microhardness of 145 HV 0.2, which is lower than previously described titanium hardness. In conclusion, detached titanium porous coating of femoral stem can cause stainless-steel femoral head wear in primary metal-on-polyethylene THA. As soon as such detachment becomes evident, revision surgery should be considered to prevent devastating complications.

Lateral Inverted Osteochondral Fracture of the Talus: Case Reports and Review of the Literature.

Lateral inverted osteochondral fracture of the talus (LIFT) is a rare variant of stage IV osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT), where the fragment is inverted in situ by 180°. The management of LIFT lesion is very challenging and early recognition crucial, given that treatment options depend on the articular cartilage condition and sufficiency of the adjacent bone of the displaced fragment. We describe two LIFT cases referred from other institutions after unsuccessful conservative treatment of OLT. They presented with pain, swelling and tenderness over the anterolateral aspect of the right ankle. We recognized the LIFT lesion on the magnetic resonance imaging scans in patient 2, while in patient 1 the orientation of the fragment was recognized upon direct visualization during operative treatment. Both patients underwent arthroscopic procedure. Due to articular cartilage damage and insufficiency of the adjacent bone of the fragment, both patients were treated with excision fol-lowed by microfracture. Treatment of the LIFT lesion should start arthroscopically to allow clear evaluation of the osteochondral fragment, assessment of the talar defect and identification, as well as treatment of associated disorders. If the articular cartilage appears intact with sufficient subchondral bone, fixation of the fragment is optimal management, otherwise excision and microfracture can be the treatment of choice.

Clinical and MRI Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in Skeletally Immature Children.

BACKGROUND: The literature on the osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) in skeletally immature children is scarce and little is known about the clinical outcomes and the radiologic appearance of these lesions after surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess mid-term clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes after arthroscopic microfracture (AM) of OLT in skeletally immature children. METHODS: Thirteen patients with OLT treated by AM before skeletal maturity were included in the study. The Berndt and Harty outcome question, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation question, and the Martin questionnaire were used to obtain patients' subjective satisfaction with their operated ankle. Functional outcomes preoperatively and postoperatively were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. MRI scans were performed postoperatively using a magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scoring system for 11 ankles. RESULTS: The median age was 15 years (range, 13 to 16 y) and the median follow-up period was 5.6 years (range, 3.8 to 13.6 y). According to the Berndt and Harty outcome question, good clinical results were reported in 10 (76.9%) and fair in 3 (23.1%) patients. The postoperative AOFAS score was significantly improved when compared with the preoperative AOFAS score, with a mean increase of 35 points (P<0.001). The overall MOCART score was 65 (range, 10 to 75). MRI variables of the MOCART scoring system showed no association with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: AM seems to be an effective surgical method for the treatment of OLT in skeletally immature children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-therapeutic studies, case series.

Value of Tourniquet Use in Anterior Ankle Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: A tourniquet is usually used during anterior ankle arthroscopy to allow for improved visibility and reduced operation time. However, this has not been demonstrated to be true in clinical studies on knee arthroscopy, while limited tourniquet time has been described as a possible factor to lower the complication rate of ankle arthroscopy. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect of tourniquet use on arthroscopic visualization, operative time, postoperative intra-articular bleeding, postoperative pain scores, and outcome of anterior ankle arthroscopy. METHODS: A consecutive series of 50 patients who were scheduled for anterior ankle arthroscopy were randomized to have the surgery done either without the tourniquet inflated (25 patients) or with the tourniquet inflated (25 patients). The patients were evaluated by the course of the surgery, postoperative intra-articular bleeding, and pain during the early postoperative period, and subjective and objective functional scores were used to evaluate the condition of the ankle before and 3 and 6 months after the surgery. Forty-nine patients were present at the final follow-up, 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The results between the groups were comparable regarding the duration of the operative procedure, consumption of sterile saline, visualization, and functional scores. A notable difference between the groups in favor of the nontourniquet group was present regarding postoperative bleeding but was not statistically significant. A statistically significant difference in favor of the nontourniquet group was found regarding postoperative pain during several days in the early postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that anterior ankle arthroscopy was performed adequately without the use of a tourniquet and that it had the same operative course as cases in which the tourniquet was used and functional outcomes that were not worse than cases in which the tourniquet was used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, prospective randomized controlled trial.

Ganglion Cyst of the Knee: A Retrospective Review of a Consecutive Case Series.

The aim of this study was to describe relevant medical history, clinical symptoms and outcomes in 12 patients having undergone surgical treatment of intra-articular ganglion cysts of the knee at our Department from January 2010 to June 2016. Patient demographics, medical history, knee manifestations, management and outcome were evaluated. The mean patient age was 26.4 (range, 16-46) years. Th ere were seven female and five male patients. Duration of symptoms prior to the operation varied from 2 months to 3 years (mean, 17.1 months). All patients had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging work-up of the knee. Pain was the most common clinical presentation. All patients were surgically treated arthroscopically, and an additional open approach was used in only one of the patients. There were no complications during surgery and the postoperative period was uneventful in all patients. The mean follow up period was 43.5 (range, 9-83) months and no recurrence was observed. All patients remained symptom-free with full range of motion at final follow up. Despite a wide range of intra-articular ganglion cyst presentations and symptoms, our cohort demonstrated an excellent remission rate and functional prognosis following surgical treatment of the ganglion cysts of the knee.

Removal of Osteoid Osteoma of the Calcaneus Using Subtalar Arthroscopy.

Intra-articular calcaneal osteoid osteoma is a very rare condition and the diagnosis as well as the treatment is extremely challenging. We report a case of a 19-year-old male with intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus, initially treated for peroneal tenosynovitis with unsatisfactory results. Thorough diagnostic procedure revealed the superolateral location of a calcaneal osteoid osteoma, near the sinus tarsi. A cherry-red elevated lesion typical of an osteoid osteoma nidus was completely removed arthroscopically using the anterolateral portal and the middle portal for subtalar arthroscopy. Histopathology confirmed the suspected diagnosis. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful with immediate pain relief and full weightbearing and movement allowed soon. The patient had no recurrent pain and normal joint mobility 8 months postoperatively. Considering the accessibility of the lesion, intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the calcaneus can be successfully treated arthroscopically using lateral approach for subtalar arthroscopy. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV: Retrospective, Case report.

Influence of Fondaparinux Versus Nadroparin Calcium Thromboprophylaxis on Clinical Parameters Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

Fondaparinux has been shown to be as effective as low molecular weight heparin in orthopedic surgery, with no cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia proven until today. The main goal of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to define whether thromboprophylaxis in patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) influences clinical parameters in the same manner in patients receiving fondaparinux as in those receiving nadroparin during the first 7 postoperative days. Sixty patients with primary knee osteoarthritis underwent unilateral TKA performed by the same surgeon and were randomized into two groups of 30 patients receiving either fondaparinux or nadroparin thromboprophylaxis. Patients were compared according to the duration of operation, perioperative blood loss, laboratory results and clinical evaluation of the edema during the early postoperative period. No differences were found between the groups in the mean duration of surgery, perioperative blood loss, and most of laboratory results. The level of urea was significantly lower in the nadroparin group on the first and second postoperative day. No cases of heparin induced thrombocytopenia, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism were noted during the study. Study results showed both fondaparinux and nadroparin to have the same influence on clinical parameters during the first 7 postoperative days in patients undergoing TKA.

IS THERE ANY ROOM FOR TENDOSCOPY IN THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF POSTERIOR TIBIAL TENDON INSUFFICIENCY?

Posterior tibial tendon insufficiency (PTTI) is nowadays considered to be the main cause of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes of tendoscopic treatment of tibialis poste- rior tendon (TP) in eleven patients with stage 1 or 2 PTTI and failed prior conservative treatment. Tendoscopy was carried out as a solitary procedure in 8 patients, while in 3 patients additional procedures such as ,,mini-open" tubularization of TP or anterior ankle arthroscopy were necessary. In a single patient transfer of flexor digitorum longus tendon was performed as a second stage surgery due to complete rupture of TP. Related with tendoscopic procedure, no complications were re- ported. TP tendoscopy is a useful and beneficial minimally invasive procedure to treat TP pathology at earlier stages of PTTI. It is a technically demanding procedure that requires extensive experience in arthroscopic management of small ioints and excellent knowledge of repional anatomy.

[Posterior ankle impingement syndrome]. / Straznji sindrom sraza gleznja.

Posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by posterior ankle pain which occurs in maximal forced plantar flexion of the foot. PAIS can be the result of an acute injury of the ankle, which is more often in general population, or it can be the result of the overuse syndrome, which is more often in athletes and ballet dancers. The etiology of PAIS may involve bony structures or soft tissue structures, or, more often, the combination of both. The diagnosis of PAIS is based on patient's clinical history and physical examination with the hyperplantarflexion test as a very important part of it. Physical examination should be completed with imaging techniques, which most often include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) to confirm the diagnosis of PAIS. Conservative treatment is recommended as the primary treatment strategy. In those cases where 3 to 6 months of conservative treatment fails, open or, more often, arthroscopic/endoscopic surgery may be recommended. Nowadays, a 2-portal endoscopic approach introduced by van Dijk et al. in 2000 is the method of choice for the treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome.

Peroneal tendoscopy--more than just a solitary procedure: case-series.

This study presents a series of 13 patients who underwent peroneal tendoscopy as a solitary or accessory procedure at our department in 2013. Patients were clinically diagnosed with peroneal tendons disorders and underwent an additional radiological assessment. Peroneal tendoscopy was carried out in a standard manner before any other arthroscopic or open procedure. Postoperative management depended on the type of pathology. We found 3 peroneus brevis tendon partial tears, 4 cases of a low-lying peroneus brevis muscle belly, 5 cases of tenosynovitis, and 1 case of an intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation. In 5 patients peroneal tendoscopy was performed as a solitary procedure and in 8 patients as an accessory procedure--together with anterior or posterior ankle arthroscopy, combined posterior and anterior ankle arthroscopy, or open surgery. Both as a solitary and accessory procedure, peroneal tendoscopy was safe and successful, ie, all patients were without any symptoms at one-year follow-up. Our series of patients showed that peroneal tendoscopy can be used both as an independent procedure as well as a valuable accessory procedure.

Periarticular osteoid osteoma of the ankle: a report of nine arthroscopically treated patients.

Periarticular osteoid osteoma often presents with unspecific clinical symptoms, mimicking other clinical conditions. This can lead a clinician to a ''diagnostic side path'' and a delayed or missed diagnosis compared with extra-articular osteoid osteoma. We report the cases of 9 patients with a mean age of 22 (range 14 to 32) years who were diagnosed with periarticular osteoid osteoma of the ankle and were surgically treated in our department during a 12-year period. The diagnostic difficulties associated with periarticular osteoid osteoma must be resolved by obtaining a detailed patient history and performing a thorough physical examination. Computed tomography is the ultimate imaging method to confirm the suspicion of osteoid osteoma. Arthroscopic removal of the osteoid osteoma was performed in all 9 patients in the present case series, with synovectomy performed when indicated. Under arthroscopic visualization, a specimen was obtained for histopathologic analysis to confirm the diagnosis, followed by tumor excision. All the patients were pain free at the final follow-up visit after a mean duration of 6 years (range 6 months to 12.7 years) postoperatively. We suggest arthroscopic removal of periarticular osteoid osteomas of the ankle as an effective treatment method, because it allows complete tumor excision, synovectomy when needed, a short postoperative rehabilitation period, and satisfactory functional results.