Chronic Ankle Pain Caused by Osteoid Osteoma of the Neck of the Talus

Abstract

Five patients with osteoid osteomas of the talar neck were treated at the Hospital for Special Surgery between 1981 and 1992. The course of care leading to definitive diagnosis and treatment was reviewed.

All five of the patients had night pain relieved by aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One of the five reported associated trauma. The average time from onset of symptoms to correct diagnosis was 2.5 years. Juxta-articular osteoid osteoma can cause a small spur that resembles a traction spur on the neck of the talus. Anterior ankle impingement was the most common misdiagnosis. Initial treatments included arthroscopic spur debridement or synovectomy, casting for fracture, and repeated nerve blocks for reflex sympathetic dystrophy. The five patients were cured by en bloc excision of the lesion.

In the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma, a history of relief of pain with aspirin is important. Plain radiographs and a bone scan are useful. Fine cut computed tomography scanning or magnetic resonance imaging are the best studies for making a definitive diagnosis. Localization by computed tomography guided needle placement or intraoperative radionuclide scanning are recommended to find the lesion for excision. Intraoperative radiographs of the excised lesion should be used to confirm complete removal.