Reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments with bone-patellar tendon graft in patients with chronic ankle instability: a preliminary report

Reconstruction of the superior peroneal retinaculum using an autologous gracilis tendon graft for chronic dislocation of the peroneal tendons accompanied by lateral instability of the ankle: technical note

This is a technical note on reconstructive surgery for the combination of chronic dislocation of the peroneal tendons and lateral instability of the ankle. The traditional surgery for this condition consists of direct repairs of the lateral ligaments of the ankle and the superior peroneal retinaculum, if possible. However, repair surgery is difficult in cases with insufficient structural remnants. We describe here a technique of simultaneous reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament and superior peroneal retinaculum with an autologous gracilis tendon graft for the combination of chronic dislocation of the peroneal tendons and lateral instability of the ankle.

Anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle using a gracilis autograft

Many techniques have been described for surgical management of lateral ankle instability. Anatomic repair and nonanatomic reconstruction have higher recurrence rates, and may be complicated by ankle stiffness. Anatomic reconstruction should be considered in stabilization for deficiencies of the lateral ankle ligament complex, as the initial construct is stronger while maintaining normal ankle mechanics.

Chronic ankle instability: management of chronic lateral ligamentous dysfunction and the varus tibiotalar joint

Many techniques have been described in acute and chronic lateral ligament insufficiency in the ankle. At present, the Bostrom-Gould and Chrisman-Snook procedures and their variations remain the "gold standard". Recent assessment of important etiologic factors has shed some light on the relationship between the original injury or injuries and the subsequent development of the varus tibiotalar joint with or without secondary osteoarthritis. The development of Taylor Spatial Frame may well revolutionize its management. In the meantime, further consideration should be given to well-designed and evaluated randomized controlled trials, improved understanding of the biomechanics, and function of the ligaments, for example, proprioceptive function and their healing. Newer and less invasive arthroscopic and percutaneous techniques are being developed.

Operative management of ankle instability: reconstruction with open and percutaneous methods

Chronic ankle instability affects a large number of young patients. A thorough history and clinical examination are key to proper patient selection. Once the patient decides to undergo operative intervention, the appropriate procedure should be selected according to their physical and lifestyle demands. The surgeon should gain familiarity with the full range of procedures, from open to percutaneous, and anatomic to nonanatomic. With proper patient selection, functional outcomes are excellent, with success rates from 80% to 90%.

Reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments with allograft in patients with chronic ankle instability

The management of chronic lateral instability of the ankle remains controversial. In general, the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) must be reconstructed in all patients. Some will also need reconstruction of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) (or its function) to regain stability of both the ankle and the subtalar joints, and to avoid recurrence of instability. After reconstruction, most authors report good to excellent results in 80% to 85% of patients. We describe the augmented reconstruction technique of ATFL and CFL with a semitendinosus tendon allograft through a peroneal bone tunnel fixed with biodegradable anchors, and advocate this procedure as a safe, effective method to manage lateral ankle instability.

Anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle with a gracilis autograft: a new technique using an interference fit anchoring system

BACKGROUND

Few anatomical and minor invasive procedures have been reported for surgical reconstruction of the lateral ligaments to treat lateral instability of the ankle. Furthermore, there are no standards according to which ligaments should be reconstructed.

HYPOTHESIS

A new technique for anatomically reconstructing the lateral ligaments of the ankle using an interference fit anchoring system and determining which ligaments need to be reconstructed according to the results of standard stress radiography of the talocrural and subtalar joints will be effective for treating lateral instability of the ankle.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with lateral instability of the ankle underwent surgery using the proposed interference fit anchoring system. Standard stress radiographs of the subtalar joint were performed, and if the talocalcaneal angle was less than 10 degrees , only the anterior talofibular ligament was reconstructed; if there was a 10 degrees or greater opening of the talocalcaneal angle, both the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament were reconstructed.

RESULTS

In the 17 patients who received only the anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction, the mean talar tilt angle on standard stress radiography of the talocrural joint was 14.5 degrees +/- 1.7 degrees before surgery and 2.6 degrees +/- 0.8 degrees 2 years after surgery (P < .0001). For the 4 patients who had both the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament reconstructed, the mean talar tilt angle was 16.5 degrees +/- 1.5 degrees before surgery and 3.0 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees 2 years after surgery (P = .0015). The overall mean talocalcaneal angle on standard stress radiography of the subtalar joint was 11.3 degrees +/- 1.4 degrees before surgery and 3.5 degrees +/- 0.8 degrees 2 years after surgery (P = .0060).

CONCLUSION

The proposed system has several advantages, including anatomical reconstruction with normal stability and range of motion restored, the need for only a small incision during the reconstruction, and sufficient strength at the tendon graft-bone tunnel junction, in comparison with the tension strength of the lateral ligaments of the ankle.

Salvage reconstruction for lateral ankle instability using a tendon allograft

Lateral ligamentous instability may result after an inversion injury to the ankle. Although it generally responds well to nonsurgical treatment, recurrent cases may warrant surgical intervention. There is extensive literature detailing various procedures designed to restore lateral ankle stability. We describe a case in which a patient had a distal fibulectomy for multiple symptomatic osteochondromas, with reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex using peroneus brevis tendon. The patient subsequently disrupted this surgical construct with a severe inversion injury and had recurrent lateral ankle instability. The lateral ligament complex then was reconstructed using a tibiotalar bone-tendon allograft directed to counteract inversion forces. Fourteen years after the procedure, the patient remains satisfied with a painless, stable ankle. The described technique provides a salvage reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex using allograft tissue, in the unique setting of an absent fibula and deficient peroneus brevis tendon.

Treatment of lateral ankle instability with transfer of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle

Ankle sprains are the most common injuries sustained during sports and physical exercise. Treatment is usually conservative because most of these injuries heal without consequence. However, some injuries may be followed by chronic lateral pain and instability, and surgical stabilization is sometimes necessary. In select cases, there is little or no residual ligament or scar tissue remaining for late reconstruction. Proximal transfer of the origin of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle as a substitute for deficient ligament tissue can be used in these difficult cases. During the years 1971 to 1992, 13 ankles in 10 patients underwent surgery using the proximal extensor digitorum brevis muscle transfer method. At follow-up, all the ankles manifested functional stability and were stable with no clinical drawer sign. All had a normal range of motion in the ankle joint but showed a desired decreased supination range of motion throughout the hindfoot and ankle. The functional Karlsson scores were 84.5 +/- 18.8 before injury, 26.4 +/- 18.7 before surgery, and 83.6 +/- 18.7 at follow-up. Thus, the extensor digitorum brevis muscle transfer seems to be a useful alternative method of long-term ankle stabilization in these difficult chronic case; the results correlate well with a few other studies using this method.