A clinical efficacy analysis of ankle arthrography-assisted modified ankle capsule repair in the treatment of recurrent bunion cysts

TL;DR

This study shows that a modified ankle capsule repair guided by arthrography can effectively treat recurring bunion cysts.

Contribution

The study introduces a modified ankle capsule repair method assisted by arthrography to reduce recurrence in bunion cysts.

Findings

Ankle arthrography identified communication between the bunion cyst and ankle joint in 14 out of 16 patients.

Only one recurrence was observed during a follow-up period of 3–24 months.

The surgical method showed no postoperative infections.

Abstract

This study aims to retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy of ankle arthrography-assisted modified ankle capsular repair for treating recurrent bunion cysts.

Clinical data from 16 cases of recurrent bunion cysts, treated between December 2021 and June 2024, were collected. All patients underwent intraoperative ankle arthrography with cyst excision, followed by ankle capsule repair based on the arthrography results. Patient gender, age, the presence of ankle arthrography during interstitial traffic with the cyst, and any postoperative complications were documented. Clinical outcomes were monitored during the postoperative follow-up.

In 14 out of 16 patients, ankle arthrography revealed communication of the contrast medium with the bunion cyst through the tendon sheath of the Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon. In the remaining two patients, no contrast medium spillage was observed. The surgical incisions healed without infection, and a follow-up period of 3–24 months revealed only one recurrence.

Ankle arthrography-assisted modified ankle capsule repair is an effective method to reduce recurrence rates in patients with recurrent bunion cysts, particularly those communicating with the ankle joint via the FHL tendon sheath.

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