Surgical Treatment of Subfibular Ossicle in Children: A Retrospective Study of 36 Patients with Functional Instability.

BACKGROUNDS: To evaluate the surgical management of a symptomatic subfibular ossicle after severe ankle sprain with functional instability and pain sequelae in children.

METHODS

We analyzed 36 patients complaining of functional instability without laxity, 1 year after an ankle inversion trauma associated with the observation of a subfibular ossicle. We systematically suggested the open excision of the residual ossicles, followed by 6 weeks of immobilization and proprioceptive physiotherapy. Seventeen of them, constituting the "resection" group accepted this surgical approach. The remaining 19 patients, the "control" group, received only rehabilitative care. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle pain and function score was evaluated in both groups.

RESULTS

The mean latest follow-up was 4 years and 4 months (range, 1 y 8 mo to 14 y 7 mo). A significant improvement of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was observed and was significantly higher in the resection group with a mean gain of 31 points (SD=31.8), versus 7 points (SD=7) in the control group (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that in the absence of objective laxity, excision of the os subfibulare appears as a simple and effective technique in the treatment of posttraumatic functional instability and ankle pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-retrospective case-control study.