Objective      To evaluate the effect of arthroscopic debridement for ankle Kaschin-Beck disease under local anesthesia.       Methods      A total of 44 patients (48 ankles

including 18 left ankles

22 right ankles and 4 both ankles) of Kaschin-Beck disease treated under arthroscopy in our department from July 2000 to March 2012 were enrolled in this study. They were 26 men and 18 women

with an average age of 36 (ranging from 23 to 57). The American orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale

visual analogue scale (VAS)

and the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle dorsiflexion were employed to evaluate the outcome before and in 3

6

12 and 24 months after surgery.       Results      Clinically

VAS score was decreased from 6.8±0.9 preoperatively to 1.9±0.7

2.2±0.9

2.9±1.2 and 4.8±2.1 respectively

in 3

6

12 and 24 months postoperatively (P0.05). AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was increased from 53.6±7.4 preoperatively to 86.6±4.9

83.4±6.4

77.0±4.7 and 67.0±5.3 respectively

in 3

6

12 and 24 months after surgery (P0.05). The dorsiflexion of the ankle and squat were improved significantly. Locking symptom was disappeared and pain was relieved

however

pain still existed in 6 ankles with weight-bearing during walking.       Conclusion      Arthroscopic debridement for ankle Kaschin-Beck disease under local anesthesia management is a good procedure with advantages of significant pain relieve

improvement of walking function

and promotion of patients’ life quality.