Arthroscopic treatment of sports-related synovitis of the ankle.

We describe nine cases of sports-related synovitis of the ankle joint with a followup of 24 to 44 months (average, 30.9). It affects young athletes and occurs after episodes of acute or recurrent inversion ankle sprains or undisplaced ankle fractures. The patients complain of morning pain and stiffness along with increased pain and swelling with attempted athletic participation. All ankles were stable and all failed to respond to at least 6 months of conservative treatment. The technetium bone scans were positive in eight of the cases. During arthroscopy, a hypertrophic anterior-chamber synovitis was found and treated by arthroscopic partial synovectomy. The results were excellent in eight of the patients in whom symptoms resolved, allowing full return to their previous sports, and fair in one case. The only complication was one superficial wound infection.