Minimal Invasive Suture-Tape Augmentation for Chronic Ankle Instability

Avoiding Tommy John Surgery: What Are the Alternatives?

The number of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstructions being performed has risen sharply in recent years, most notably in the young amateur athlete. While successful outcomes have been reported with reconstruction, the surgery and the associated rehabilitation timeline may be difficult for the nonelite athlete to incur. Return-to-play expectations, along with level of competition, should help guide surgeons in exploring management options. While reconstruction remains a mainstay, focused research exploring nonreconstructive options has expanded. This review discusses the clinical approach to those with UCL injury, including current support for rehabilitation, biologic strategies, and available repair or augmentation alternatives.

Revision anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle augmented with suture tape for patients with a failed Broström procedure

AIMS

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the intermediate-term outcomes after revision anatomical ankle ligament reconstruction augmented with suture tape for a failed modified Broström procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 30 patients with persistent instability of the ankle after a Broström procedure underwent revision augmented with suture tape. Of these, 24 patients who were followed up for more than two years were included in the study. There were 13 men and 11 women. Their mean age was 31.8 years (23 to 44). The mean follow-up was 38.5 months (24 to 56) The clinical outcome was assessed using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score. The stability of the ankle was assessed using stress radiographs.

RESULTS

The mean FAOS and FAAM scores improved significantly to 87.5 (73 to 94) and 85.1 (70 to 95) points at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean angle of talar tilt and anterior talar translation improved significantly to 2.8° (0° to 6°) and 4.1 mm (2 to 7) at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). Side to side comparison in stress radiographs at final follow-up showed no significant difference. The revision failed in one patient who underwent a further revision using allograft tendon.

CONCLUSION

The revision modified Broström procedure augmented with suture tape is an effective form of treatment for recurrent instability of the ankle following a failed Broström procedure. This technique provides reliable stability and satisfactory clinical outcomes at intermediate-term follow-up. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1183-9.

Outcomes of the Modified Broström Procedure Augmented With Suture-Tape for Ankle Instability in Patients With Generalized Ligamentous Laxity

BACKGROUND

Although recent biomechanical studies have reported mechanical superiority of augmented anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction using suture-tape, clinical evidence regarding the efficacy of suture-tape augmentation is still insufficient. This prospective study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of the modified Broström procedure augmented with suture-tape for chronic ankle instability with generalized ligamentous laxity, which has been known to be a poor prognostic factor for anatomic ligament repair.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with generalized ligamentous laxity were followed for more than 2 years after the augmented modified Broström procedures for chronic ankle instability. Generalized ligamentous laxity was defined as a Beighton score ≥4 points. The clinical evaluation consisted of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) score. Measurement of talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation was obtained from stress radiographs to evaluate mechanical ankle stability.

RESULTS

FAOS and FAAM scores had significantly improved from preoperative average 63.2 and 54.3 points to 90.6 and 89.5 points at final follow-up, respectively ( P < .001). Talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation had significantly improved from preoperative average 16.2° and 12.1 mm to 3.6° and 4.2 mm at final follow-up, respectively ( P < .001). Preoperative side-to-side comparison with stress radiographs was significantly different, but this returned to within nonstatistical differences at final follow-up, respectively ( P = .105, .532). Although 6 patients sustained an ankle sprain after operation, only 1 patient (3.6%) showed a recurrence of subjective and mechanical instability.

CONCLUSIONS

Suture-tape augmentation for the modified Broström procedure appears to be an effective operative alternative for chronic ankle instability with generalized ligamentous laxity. As one of the methods to improve the clinical outcomes in patients with relative contraindications of the modified Broström repair, this procedure provided reliable stability with the advantages of anatomic ligament repair through the augmentation using suture-tape.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, prospective case series.

Generalized Ligamentous Laxity Is an Independent Predictor of Poor Outcomes After the Modified Broström Procedure for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

BACKGROUND

The modified Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) has presented outstanding clinical results. However, after the procedure, some patients with generalized ligamentous laxity have experienced a recurrence of ankle instability.

PURPOSE

To understand the effect of generalized ligamentous laxity on prognosis and risk of recurrence in a cohort of patients with CLAI after the modified Broström procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A total of 199 ankles from 188 patients underwent the modified Broström procedure for CLAI with a mean follow-up of 60.1 months (range, 48-108 months). Generalized ligamentous laxity was assessed in all patients. The Karlsson-Peterson ankle score (Karlsson score), talar tilt angle, and anterior displacement of the talus were used to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes. Risk factors associated with clinical outcomes were evaluated using bivariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. Survival outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Generalized ligamentous laxity was evident in 42 cases (21.1%). The average Karlsson score improved from 54.6 ± 7.1 preoperatively to 87.9 ± 7.2 at last follow-up (P < .001). The presence of generalized ligamentous laxity was significantly associated with poor clinical and radiological outcomes. The rates of clinical failure were 10.8% and 45.2% in the nonlaxity group and the laxity group, respectively (P < .001). According to bivariate analysis, generalized ligamentous laxity, syndesmosis widening, osteochondral lesion of the talus, high preoperative talar tilt angle (>15°), and high preoperative anterior displacement of the talus (>10 mm) were significantly associated with clinical failure. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that generalized ligamentous laxity was the most important independent predictor of clinical failure after the modified Broström procedure. The cumulative success rates for the nonlaxity group were significantly superior to those for the laxity group in Kaplan-Meier curves (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Generalized ligamentous laxity is an independent predictor of poor outcomes and a risk factor of recurrent instability following the modified Broström procedure for CLAI.

Allograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Utilizing Internal Brace Augmentation

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are among the most common sports-related injuries. Although studies have reported reliable outcomes with allograft tissue, several studies have shown a higher failure rate in younger patients. Although ACL graft augmentation has been met with varying levels of success, internal bracing of an allograft represents a promising area in ACL reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to detail allograft preparation involving a collagen-coated, ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene/polyester suture tape as an internal brace augmentation for ACL reconstruction using the all-inside ACL GraftLink Technique (Arthrex, Naples, FL).

Biomechanical stability of tape augmentation for anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair compared to the native ATFL

PURPOSE

Current methods of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction fail to restore the stability of the native ATFL. Therefore, augmented anatomic ATFL reconstruction gained popularity in patients with attenuated tissue and additional stress on the lateral ankle ligament complex. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biomechanical stability of the InternalBrace (Arthrex Inc., Naples, FL, USA), a tape augmentation designed to augment the traditional Broström procedure.

METHODS

Twelve (12) fresh-frozen human anatomic lower leg specimens were randomized into two groups: a native ATFL (ATFL) and a tape augmentation group (IB). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans were carried out to determine bone mineral density (BMD) of the specimens. The ligaments were stressed by internally rotating the tibia against the inverted fixated hindfoot. Torque at failure (Nm) and angle at failure (°) were recorded.

RESULTS

The ATFL group failed at an angle of 33 ± 10°. In the IB group, construct failure occurred at an angle of 46 ± 16°. Failure torque reached 8.3 ± 4.5 Nm in the ATFL group, whereas the IB group achieved 11.2 ± 7.1 Nm. There was no correlation between angle at ATFL or IB construct failure or torque at failure, respectively, and BMD for both groups.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that tape augmentation for ATFL reconstruction shows similar biomechanical stability compared to an intact native ATFL in terms of torque at failure and angle at failure. BMD did not influence the construct stability. Tape augmentation proved an enhanced initial stability in ATFL reconstruction which may allow for an accelerated rehabilitation process.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.