Return to training and playing after posterior ankle arthroscopy for posterior impingement in elite professional soccer.

Background: Posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) was first described in ballet dancers but is increasingly being diagnosed in other sports. Operative treatment may be indicated when nonoperative measures have failed. Traditionally, operative treatment has involved an open approach; more recently, posterior ankle arthroscopy has been employed.

Purpose: This study was conducted to describe the factors that influence return to play in professional athletes after posterior ankle arthroscopy for posterior ankle impingement syndrome.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence 4.

Methods: A consecutive series of 28 elite professional soccer players who had clinically and radiologically diagnosed posterior ankle impingement syndrome that failed to respond to nonoperative treatment underwent posterior ankle arthroscopy for bony or soft tissue posterior ankle impingement syndrome over 5 years.

Results: Of the 28 players, 27 were available for follow-up. Five had a diagnosis of soft tissue impingement and underwent debridement with flexor hallucis longus release, 13 had a symptomatic os trigonum that was excised arthroscopically, and 9 had removal of a bony avulsion fragment from the posterior ankle ligament complex. The mean length of time to return to training postoperatively was 34 days and return to playing was 41 days (range, 29-72 days). The duration of symptoms before surgery and excision of bony impingement were significantly correlated with the time to return to training and playing. There were no major complications and no reoperations at an average of 23 months of follow-up (range, 15-49 months).

Conclusion: Posterior ankle arthroscopy is safe and effective in the treatment of posterior ankle impingement syndrome in the elite soccer player, with return to training expected at an average of 5 weeks.