Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics volume 8 , Article number: 42 Cite this article. Metrics details. The authors retrieved the records of 4 patients that exhibited unusual structural anomalies or pathologies, notably the presence of a fibrous band at the anterior aspect of the tibiotalar joint, observed during arthroscopic exploration or treatment between January and December The remaining 3 patients had no surgical antecedents on the ipsilateral ankle.
For the first 3 patients, the intra-articular fibrous band was not observed prior to arthroscopy by either the senior surgeon or radiologist on any of the images 2 MRIs and 1 CTA , but retrospective inspection confirmed that the intra-articular fibrous band was present but had been overlooked.
At a follow-up of This case report corroborates the findings of an earlier discovery of an intra-articular fibrous band in 4 ankles, with more detailed information for clinical and radiologic diagnosis, as well as outcomes of arthroscopic removal. Valkering et al. Arthroscopic removal of this fibrous band relieved pain and restored mobility. The etiology of this intra-articular fibrous band is not yet known, but it may be related to bleeding after trauma within the anterior ankle chamber, which can create fibrous structures in the joint [ 5 ].
As the discovery of this fibrous band is recent, there is little information on its diagnosis, symptoms and treatment options. The aim of this case report is to facilitate the diagnosis of intra-articular fibrous bands using 3D imaging, and report outcomes of their arthroscopic removal in 4 ankles. Between January and December , the senior author performed arthroscopic procedures on 62 ankles, 4 6.
The patients comprised 2 men and 2 women, aged During arthroscopy, a chondral notch was discovered in 1 patient, on the superolateral edge of the talus, causing the fibrous band to jump over the notch. None of the four cases presented with a plica, nor with anterolateral impingement. One patient underwent conservative treatment for a superomedial osteochondral lesion, while the three other patients had no osteochondral lesions.
