Arthroscopic Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in a Suspended Position With the Patient in a Prone Position

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results and the safety of arthroscopic microfracture with the ankle suspended on a shoulder-holding traction frame for simultaneous anterior and posterior ankle arthroscopy in the prone position. Between May 2010 and January 2016, 31 patients with posterior osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) were treated with arthroscopic microfracture in a suspended position with the patient prone. Ankle distraction was achieved by suspending the affected ankle on a shoulder-holding traction frame. The 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS) and the Foot Function Index (FFI) were checked preoperatively and at final follow-up. Postoperative complications related to the suspended position were analyzed. Lower leg intramuscular compartment pressure was checked after the surgery to determine if there was any risk of compartment syndrome. The mean 100-mm VAS score, and FFI improved from 62.8 ±11.3 and 48.5 ± 12.1, respectively, preoperatively to 15.8 ± 10.4 and 16.4 ± 9.2, respectively, at final follow-up (P = .025, and P = .005, respectively). The mean anterior, lateral, superficial posterior, and deep posterior compartment pressures were 7.3 ± 1.5, 8.1 ± 1.1, 5.6 ± 1.9, and 9.2 ± 2.4 mmHg, respectively. No compartment syndrome occurred. Arthroscopic treatment of OLT in a prone position with the ankle suspended on a shoulder-holding traction frame allowed the use of simultaneous anterior and posterior portals for viewing and instrumentation without major operative complications, such as compartment syndrome. Level IV, retrospective case series