Abstract:[Objective] To explore the clinical efficacy of ankle arthroscopic debridement combined with Ilizarov technique in correcting adult talipes equinovarus. [Methods] A total of 37 adult patients (44 feet) with clubfoot from May 2019 to May 2023 were included in this study, and were divided into two groups by the random number table method. Of them, 23 feet received Ilizarov technique combined with ankle arthroscopic debridement (the debridement group), while the other 21 feet underwent traditional Ilizarov technique only without ankle arthroscopic debridement (the non-debridement group). The documents regarding to treatment period, follow-up and images were compared between the two groups. [Results] Although the debridement group consumed significantly longer operation time than the non-debridement group [(121.6±28.5) min vs (92.3±18.4) min, P<0.001], the former had significantly shorter external fixator bearing time than the latter [(71.3±10.5) days vs (82.5±11.9) days, P=0.012]. There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, incision healing grade, walking time, hospital stay, the number of external fixation adjustments, and the overall incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). The patients in both groups were followed up for (6.3±3.2) months in a mean. The VAS, ICFSG and AOFAS scores, as well as ankle plantarflexion-dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and inversion-eversion ROM were significantly improved in both groups at the latest follow-up compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the abovesaid items between the two groups before the operation (P>0.05), however, the debridement group proved significantly superior to the non-debridement group at the last follow-up in terms of VAS score [(1.8±1.2) vs (3.8±1.4) , P<0.001], AOFAS score [(85.7±10.7) vs (74.8±11.4) , P=0.005] and ankle plantarflexion-dorsiflexion ROM [(42.8±11.4)° vs (33.6±7.8)°, P=0.005]. Moreover, the debridement group was also significantly better than the non-debridement group in the clinical excellent and good rate at the last follow-up (91.3% vs 66.7%, P=0.043). As for imaging, the debridement group was significantly better over the non-debridement group in Takakura's degeneration grade at the last follow-up [I/ II/III/IV, (16/7/0/0) vs (7/10/4/0), P=0.025], despite the fact that no statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups regarding the lateral talocalcaneal angle (LTCA), talocalcaneal angle (TCA), and talo-first metatarsal angle (TFMA) (P>0.05). [Conclusion] The ankle arthroscopic debridement does enhance clinical consequece of Ilizarov technique correcting adult talipes equinovarus, with advantages of reducing external fixator bearing time and improving functional recovery.