Operative Treatment of Symptomatic Os Subfibulare

Jung, Hwa Jae; Shin, Hun Kyu; Ko, Chun Suk

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of resection of os subfibulare and lateral ligament reattachment or modified Brostrom procedure in patients with symptomatic os subfibulare.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a retrospective study on fourteen patients (14 ankles) who have symptoms associated with os subfibulare. Between August 1999 and July 2004, they underwent 4 resection of os subfibulare and lateral ligament reattachment for ankle pain due to os subfibulare or 10 resection of os subfibulare and modified Brostrom procedure available for ankle instability due to os subfibulare. Follow-up period is averaged for 17.6 months (12-24 months). Clinical results were graded according to the AOFAS clinical rating system.
RESULTS
Clinical results were rated as good in 4 ankles after resection of os subfibulare and lateral ligament reattachment, excellent in 5, good in 4, and fair in 1 ankle after the resection of os subfibulare and modified Brostrom procedure. In the last follow up period, 1 case of anterolateral ankle instability, 1 case of ankle pain and 1 case of inversion limitation were present postoperatively, but all symptoms were improved progressively.
CONCLUSION
Resection of os subfibulare and modified Brostrom procedure is a good surgical technique for chronic ankle instability due to os subfibulare. But if just the ankle pain is present, resection of os subfibulare and lateral ligament reattachment is a sufficient procedure.