Observations on symptomatic medial malleolar ossification centers.

Abstract

We report 11 cases of symptomatic medial malleolar ossification centers (MMOC). Symptoms in six of the 10 patients responded to diminished athletic activity. Four patients required short-leg walking casts, and two of these patients required repeat casting for symptom recurrence. Two groups of bilateral, three-view ankle roentgenograms of asymptomatic patients were reviewed to determine the incidence of MMOC. Group 1 (age 6 years 1 month to 12 years 11 months) had a 20% incidence, and group 2 (age 13 years 1 month to 17 years 11 months) had a 4% incidence. Symptoms may occur at these roentgenographic variants, and diminished activity, either volition or enforced by walking casts, produced resolution of symptoms in all patients.