OK-432 sclerotherapy for malleolar bursitis of the ankle

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and usefulness of OK-432 (Picibanil) sclerotherapy as a new option in the conservative treatment of patients with malleolar bursitis of the ankle. Methods: Retrospectively, we reviewed a total of 20 consecutive patients (20 feet) in whom OK-432 sclerotherapy had been performed between March 2009 and June 2010. After aspiration of fluid in the malleolar bursal sac, 0.05 mg of OK- 432 was injected into the malleolar bursal sac. We evaluated the clinical outcomes and side effects at the following time points: 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after OK-432 sclerotherapy. The responses to the treatment were assessed according to the degree of fluctuation, shrinkage of the bursal sac, and soft tissue swelling. Results: Complete resolution was observed in 19 patients (95%) after the first or second application of OK-432 sclerotherapy, and a partial response was observed in 1 patient (5%) after a second application of OK-432 sclerotherapy. The physical component scores of SF-36 improved from 70.0 ± 6.8 to 76.5 ± 7.3 at the last follow-up (P = .0002). Conclusion: OK-432 sclerotherapy was a useful procedure for patients not responding to the usual conservative treatment of malleolar bursitis of the ankle.