Open anterior Ankle cheilectomy as salvage procedure for anterior ankle impingement, a case report

Anterior ankle impingement, defined by pain with restricted dorsiflexion due to tibiotalar osteophytes and soft tissue impingement, commonly affects athletic patients with repetitive motions and those with prior ankle fractures. In chronic cases, conservative treatment is unlikely to be successful. Joint-sparing surgical options such as arthroscopic debridement or open arthrotomy with cheilectomy are recommended to alleviate symptoms and restore function.

This case report details a rare instance of anterior ankle impingement associated with substantial exostosis and concurrent ankle arthritis, necessitating an aggressive open anterior ankle cheilectomy. At last follow-up, the patient was able to resume normal activities and maintain satisfactory ankle joint range of motion, without requiring further revisional procedures.