Arthroscopic Foot and Ankle Surgery: Brazilian Surgeon Profile

Abstract

Objective: To study the profile of the practice of arthroscopy among ankle and foot surgeons in Brazil and its evolution in recent years. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study, using a survey sent to all members of the Associação Brasileira de Medicina e Cirurgia do Tornozelo e Pé (ABTPé) in 2017 and 2019. Results: In total, 75 surgeons participated in 2017 and 82 in 2019 and most had over 10 years of experience. Of these, 56 participants in 2017 (75%) and 68 in 2019 (82%) used arthroscopy. The number of specialists with no to five years of experience (p = 0.027) and who learned the technique during fellowship (p = 0.007) increased. The use of the 4.0 mm optics and 30° optics (p = 0.040) increased whereas the routine use of traction (p = 0.049) and radiofrequency (p = 0.002) decreased. The main pathology treated with anterior ankle arthroscopy was bone injury. The most frequent complication was neuropraxia. Conclusion: Most of the foot and ankle surgeons who use arthroscopy have more than 10 years of experience, performed anterior access, and are concentrated in the Southeast region of the country. The number of younger surgeons who learned the technique during fellowship increased. Level of Evidence III, Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.