Most elite athletes return to preinjury competitive activity after surgical treatment for medial malleolus stress fractures

Abstract

PURPOSE : To provide return‐to‐performance outcomes after surgical treatment for medial malleolus stress fractures in the elite athlete. Additionally, to describe an individualised surgical approach in the management of medial malleolus stress fractures. METHODS : Five athletes (six ankles) underwent surgical treatment for a medial malleolus stress fracture. The surgical technique was based on the extent of the fracture line in steps with first arthroscopic debridement of bony spurs, microfracturing of the fracture line and screw fixation. Return‐toperformance data included time to return to sport‐specific training, normal training, first competitive activity, performance and the return‐toperformance rate. RESULTS : Patients returned to sport‐specific training at a median of 10 weeks. They started normal training at 16 weeks postoperatively and returned to their first competitive activity after 19 weeks. All patients had bony spurs on the distal tibia which were arthroscopically debrided. One patient received arthroscopic debridement of bony spurs alone. Four patients received additional microfracturing of the fracture line and three patients received screw fixation. All patients achieved clinical and radiographic union on follow‐up computed tomography scan at 3 months postsurgery. At latest follow‐up, no refractures nor hardware complications, nor any other complications were observed. CONCLUSION : Arthroscopic debridement of bony spurs, debridement and microfracturing of the fracture line and screw fixation are all viable surgical tools in the management of medial malleolus stress fractures in elite athletes. The surgical approach containing these options should be tailored to the individual athlete based on the fracture line in the sagittal plane. While most athletes return to full competitive activity in 3–4 months, time to selfreported return to full performance is often much longer.