Fistula of the ankle : A complication of ankle sprain

염좌 후에 발생한 족관절 누공

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features of fistulas of the ankle joints. Materials and Methods: Seven fistulas in seven patients were reviewed during Apr. 2000 to Mar. 2002, retrospectively. There are five men and two wemen. Average age was 47.7 years (range, 42-65 years). Average follow-up period was 1.4 years. There were six cystic lesions after ankle sprain and one patient with persistent discharge after excision of bursa over lateral malleolus. Results: Duration from injury to presentation was average 9.8 years. The site of preoperative swelling was mostly over the lateral malleolus in five patients. In one patient, the area of swelling was extended to the anterolateral ankle joint and in another patient there was extensive swelling from Achilles tendon to the anterolateral ankle joint. Concomitant symptoms were instability in three patients, pain and instability in three patients. Methods of surgery were simple repair in one, modified Brostrom in three, augmentation with periosteal flap in addition to modified Brostrom in two and Chrisman-Snook in addition to augmentation with periosteal flap and modified Brostrom in one. There were no recurrence of instability as well as fistula. Conclusion: We think that the fistula of the ankle joint should be included in the differential diagnosis of the cystic lesion over the lateral malleolus and the result of surgical treatment would be satisfactory in most cases.