Purpose: Compare the result of endoscopic versus open bursectomy in lateral malleolar bursitis.
Materials and methods: Prospective evaluation of 21 patients (22 ankles) undergoing either open or endoscopic excision of lateral malleolar bursitis. The median age was 64 (38-79) years old. The median postoperative follow-up was 15 (12-18) months.
Results: Those patients undergoing endoscopic excision showed a higher satisfaction rate (excellent 9, good 2) than open excision (excellent 4, good 3, fair 1). The wounds also healed earlier in the endoscopic group although the operation time was slightly longer. One patient in the endoscopic group had recurrence of symptoms but complications in the open group included one patient with skin necrosis, one patient with wound dehiscence, and two patients of with superficial peroneal nerve injury.
Conclusions: Endoscopic resection of the lateral malleolar bursitis is a promising technique and shows favorable results compared to the open resection.
Level of evidence: Therapeutic studies-Investigating the result of treatment, Level II.