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The inflammed synovial tissue is resected with a power resector
and the anterior ankle joint is visualized.
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As the synovial tissue is removed, we can then visualize the
articular surface of the talus and inspect the cartilage for
damage.
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We can see a fibrous band of tissue bridging down from the
tibia to the talus- this band of tissue restricts proper motion
of the talus and also gets impinged between the tibia and
talus. Also, closer inspection of the lateral (outside edge)
of the cartilage of the talus shows that some fibrillation
(small scalloping) has taken place secondary to the injury.
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After we have cleaned the fibrous band and impinged tissue
from between the talus and tibia, we can see the fibers of
the Anterior TaloFibular Ligament (ATFL). Again we can see
some fibrillation of the cartilage surface of the talus.
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