Objective      To introduce the technique and investigate the outcomes of arthroscopic debridement combined with posterosuperior calcaneoplasty for retrocalcaneal bursitis.       Methods      Clinical data of 8 patients with retrocalcaneal bursitis undergoing arthroscopic debridement combined with posterosuperior calcaneoplasty in our department from January 2011 to January 2013 were collected and retrospectively reviewed. They were 5 males and 3 females with a mean age of 42.2 years (ranging from 32 to 53)

and 6 of them were hurt in right side and 2 in left. All patients did not have a clear history of trauma

had a duration of 10 to 35 months

and experienced conservative treatment for average 3 to 6 months which was failed and then turned to surgical treatment. In 2 d after surgery

the patients begun partial weight-bearing walking

then followed by full weight-bearing walking in 3 weeks after surgery

and restored daily life and started moving after 6 to 8 weeks. Pre- and post-operative radiography

visual analogue scale (VAS) and Tegner scores were recorded and compared. Postoperative complications were also observed.       Results      All of the patients underwent the surgery successfully

with a mean operation time of 30 min (18 to 35). After surgery

there was no case with any complications

such as infection

nerve or tendon injury

restricted range of motion

or Achilles tendon contracture. The average time of follow-up was 19 months (7-29). On the post-operative radiographs

the calcaneal posterosuperior protuberance became blunter and rounder. Tegner scores was increased significantly from 2.4±1.0 (2-4) before surgery to 5.4±0.8 (4-8) after (P0.01). There was a significant decrease in VAS post-operatively than that pre-operatively [1.8±0.7 (0-3)vs 5.9±1.5 (4-8)

P0.01].       Conclusion      For patients with chronic retrocalcaneal bursitis

arthroscopic debridement combined with posterosuperior calcaneoplasty is an effective option with short operation time

small wound and rapid efficiency

but surgical indications should be strictly controlled.