Arthroscopic Debridement of Pediatric Accessory Anterolateral Talar Facet Causing Impingement

Abstract

Symptomatic subfibular and/or lateral talocalcaneal impingement in pediatric patients may result from an accessory anterolateral talar facet (AALTF). This impingement may cause pain and disability and may limit athletic performance in high-level athletes. We report the case of a 12-year-old female competitive gymnast who had refractory, lateral-sided right ankle pain for 4 months and underwent right ankle arthroscopic resection of the AALTF causing impingement. Standard medial and anterolateral portals with the addition of an accessory anterolateral-distal portal were used in conjunction with a 30° 2.7-mm-diameter arthroscope. The AALTF was resected with a combination of a shaver and a motorized rasp. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was used to verify successful debridement of the bony facet. This case illustrates that arthroscopic debridement is a technique to treat subfibular and/or talocalcaneal impingement associated with an AALTF.