Iatrogenic posterior tibial nerve division during a combined anterior ankle arthroscopy with an additional posterolateral portal

Ankle arthroscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic technique in the management of ankle disorders. Nowadays ankle arthroscopy provides good to excellent results (up to 90%) in the treatment of certain intra-articular disorders. Due to the superficial location of ankle joint and the abundance of overlying neurovascular structures, complications reported in ankle arthroscopy are greater than those reported in other joints. We present the first reported case of a complete division of the posterior tibial nerve during an anterior ankle arthroscopy combined with an additional posterolateral portal. This was due to a poorly controlled use of the arthroscopic instruments.