Both Open and Arthroscopic All-Inside Anatomic Reconstruction With Autologous Gracilis Tendon Restore Ankle Stability in Patients With Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Surgical Management of Complex Ankle Bony Impingement Combined With Chronic Ankle Instability

Background

Anterior ankle bony impingement, which can cause pain and dysfunction of the ankle, is commonly seen in sports injuries. Its primary cause is repeated injury due to chronic ankle instability. An excellent clinical result has been reported by surgically removing osteophytes and ankle stabilization. However, reports of complex anterior impingement combined with lateral ankle instability are rare, which remains challenging in clinical practice.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of anterior ankle bony impingement combined with lateral ankle instability with surgical dissection of osteophytes and stabilization. It was hypothesized that complex ankle osteophytes with instability would achieve optimal clinical outcomes through surgical management.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

A total of 57 patients with complex ankle bony impingement combined with lateral instability treated with surgical dissection of complex osteophytes between September 2013 and January 2019 were enrolled in the study. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Karlsson score, and radiographic examination with a mean follow-up time of 39.6 months. Postoperative ankle function and complications were compared using the t test and post hoc Tukey significant difference test.

Results

The mean AOFAS score significantly increased at the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-ups compared with the preoperative condition (t = 10.57, P = .0001). The mean Karlsson score after surgery also significantly improved at each follow-up time compared with the preoperative score (t = 12.93, P = .0001). The preoperative VAS score significantly decreased at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively (t = 8.73, P = .001). A significant improvement of mean dorsiflexion difference was observed at 3 months and 1 year compared with the preoperative condition, but it seemed to have regressed at the 2-year follow-up (t = 2.11, P = .01). Tibial side recurrence was found in 9 cases, including 7 Scranton type 1 and 2 Scranton type 2. Talar side recurrence was also found in 3 of those cases.

Conclusion

Our retrospective study demonstrated that complex ankle bony impingement combined with lateral instability can yield good clinical results when treated surgically with both ankle stabilization and osteophyte removal.

Arthroscopic Anatomic Lateral Ankle Reconstruction Using Allograft: A Simplified Approach

Ankle instability is a common medical condition that frequently necessitates surgical intervention to achieve ankle joint stability and enhance functional outcomes after failure of conservative treatment. Many surgical techniques have been described in the literature to restore joint stability, including repair or reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament. In this article, we describe a simplified arthroscopic technique for anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction using an extensor hallucis longus allograft and involving percutaneous creation of the calcaneal tunnel after identification of the calcaneofibular ligament distal footprint insertion relative to the lateral malleolus.

Efficacy and complication of keyhole surgery and open surgery for repairing fibular collateral ligament in the persistent lateral ankle joint instability treatment: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years, there has been growing interest in identifying and treating persistent lateral ankle joint instability. Many medical professionals believe that early intervention is important to address this instability.

METHODS

Four databases on the outcomes of open and keyhole surgery for repairing the fibular collateral ligament in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle joint instability were acquired from the computer during controlled trials. Data analysis was conducted after the rigorous literature quality evaluation using Stata software.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis finally included 11 articles. Eleven studies reported complications were significantly lower in the treated group (odds ratio: 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.94; P < .05) compared to the untreated group, as were American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores (standard mean difference [SMD]: 3.77; 95% CI: 1.17-6.37; P < .01), visual analog scale scores (SMD: -0.69; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.14; P < .05), Karlsson scores (SMD: 2.78; 95% CI: 0.35-5.21; P < .05), and Tegner scores (SMD: 0.41; 95% CI: -0.13 to 0.95; P = .139).

CONCLUSION

According to complications, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, visual analog scale scores, and Karlsson scores, the study findings suggested that keyhole surgery may be beneficial in patients with persistent lateral ankle joint instability. Following this, the growing number of high-quality studies needs to confirm the results reported in this study.

Percutaneous Calcaneal Osteotomy Combined With Arthroscopic Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction for Chronic Ankle Instability With Hindfoot Varus

Chronic ankle instability is the most frequent complication of lateral ankle sprain. Its reported incidence is approximately 40% after the first episode of instability. Although this rate varies depending on the type of activity, there are also certain risk factors associated with this condition, such as hyperlaxity, static or dynamic postural control deficits, and especially, hindfoot varus. If hindfoot varus is not managed when medical treatment fails and surgery is necessary, treatment may be unsuccessful, resulting in a poorer functional outcome and a higher rate of recurrent instability. Open hindfoot varus correction is often associated with poor wound healing and infectious complications. If ligament repair is also performed, the risk is increased by the numerous incisions. This article presents an arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament anatomic reconstruction technique with the gracilis tendon associated with percutaneous calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of chronic ankle instability.

Medial Cystic Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus Exhibited Lower Sports Levels, Higher Cyst Presence Rate, and Inferior Radiological Outcomes Compared With Lateral Lesions Following Arthroscopic Bone Marrow Stimulation

PURPOSE

To compare the patient-reported outcomes and radiologic outcomes of the patients with medial and lateral cystic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) following bone marrow stimulation (BMS).

METHODS

Patients with cystic OLTs who underwent BMS between January 2016 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and the minimum follow-up time was more than 24 months. Patients were paired in a 1:1 ratio (medial cystic OLT [MC-OLT]/lateral cystic OLT [LC-OLT]) based on the OLT area within 30 mm2, follow-up within 1 year, age within 5 years, and ligament surgery (yes/no). The visual analog scale and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)-Activities of Daily Life and Sports scores were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. The magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue scores and presence of cysts after BMS were also evaluated. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curve was performed.

RESULTS

The matched patients were divided into the MC-OLT (n = 31, 43.35 ± 12.32 months) and LC-OLT groups (n = 31, 43.32 ± 14.88 months, P = .986). Thirty patients of each group achieved a power of 80% and an α = 0.05 in this study. The MC-OLT group showed significantly less improvement in FAAM-Activities of Daily Life and sports scores (P = .034, P < .001, respectively), lower magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue scores (80.80 ± 11.91 vs 86.00 ± 8.50, P = .010), and higher presence rate of cysts after BMS (45.16% vs 16.12%, P = .013). Regarding FAAM sports scores, the LC-OLT group had significantly more patients exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (80.64% vs 51.61%, P = .031). Furthermore, an OLT depth of 7.23 mm (sensitivity: 78.6%; specificity: 70.6%) might serve as a cutoff value for predicting the presence of cysts in medial cystic OLTs following BMS.

CONCLUSIONS

Medial cystic OLTs exhibited markedly lower sports levels, higher cyst presence rate, and inferior radiologic outcomes following BMS than lateral counterparts. Additionally, an OLT depth of 7.23 mm could be the cutoff value for predicting the presence of cysts regarding medial cystic OLTs after BMS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Arthroscopic Anatomic Reconstruction of the Anterior Talofibular and Calcaneofibular Ligaments Through a 2-Portal Technique

Arthroscopic anatomic lateral ligament reconstruction of the ankle joint has proven to be a safe option in the treatment of chronic ankle instability (CAI), with good functional results as well as allowing simultaneous management of associated lesions. We described an arthroscopic technique for anatomic reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament using only 2 arthroscopic portals. This surgical technique to treat CAI is technically less demanding than other described techniques that use 3 or 4 arthroscopic portals. Moreover, as an anatomic technique, it has the advantage of preserving the biomechanics and kinematics of the ankle joint.

Evaluation of Open Versus Arthroscopic Anterior Talofibular Ligament Reconstruction for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability With Talar and Subtalar Cartilage MRI T2 Mapping: A 3-Year Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have examined patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) undergoing open and arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction, reporting equivalent clinical results between the 2 procedures. However, data on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes on cartilage health after the 2 procedures are limited.

PURPOSE

To compare the cartilage MRI T2 values of the talar and subtalar joints between patients with CLAI undergoing open and arthroscopic ATFL reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on patients who underwent open or arthroscopic ATFL reconstruction between January 2018 and December 2019, with a mean follow-up duration of 3 years. MRI scans and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Tegner score estimations were completed by patients ≤1 week before surgery, as a baseline measurement, and at a 3-year follow-up. A total of 21 healthy volunteers were included who underwent MRI at baseline. Cartilage health was evaluated using MRI T2 mapping. The talar and subtalar cartilage regions were segmented into 14 subregions.

RESULTS

At baseline, patients with CLAI had substantially higher T2 values in the medial anterior, medial center, medial posterior, and lateral center regions on the talus compared with the healthy controls (P = .009, .003, .001, and .025, respectively). Remarkable increases in T2 values in the lateral posterior region on the talus were observed from baseline to follow-up in the open group (P = .007). Furthermore, T2 values were considerably higher in the medial center, medial posterior, lateral posterior, and lateral posterior calcaneal facets of the posterior subtalar joint at follow-up in the arthroscopic group compared with the baseline values (P = .025, .002, .006, and .044, respectively). No obvious differences in ΔT2 values were noted between the 2 groups at follow-up. The AOFAS and Tegner scores remarkably improved from baseline to follow-up for the 2 groups (open: 3.25 ± 0.58 vs 5.13 ± 0.81, P < .001; arthroscopic: 3.11 ± 0.90 vs 5.11 ± 1.08, P < .001), with no considerable difference between them.

CONCLUSION

The elevated T2 values of cartilage could not be fully recovered after open or arthroscopic ATFL reconstruction. Both arthroscopic and open ATFL reconstruction displayed similar effects on cartilage health concerning ΔT2, but the arthroscopic group demonstrated more degenerative cartilage subregions than the open group.

Arthroscopic Modified Broström Repair with Suture-Tape Augmentation of the Calcaneofibular Ligament for Lateral Ankle Instability

Surgical repair of acute or chronic lateral instability of the ankle may be unsuccessful in the presence of associated anterior fibulotalar ligament (AFTL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injury. This Technical Note presents an arthroscopic double-row repair technique of the AFTL associated with suture tape augmentation of the CFL. The patient is in the supine position with the ankle hanging over the edge of the surgical table. The anteromedial portal is created inside the anterior tibial tendon, and the anterolateral portal is created under arthroscopic control. The ATFL is released from the capsule with a beaver blade. The calcaneal tunnel is created percutaneously at the footprint of the CFL. A soft anchor is impacted at the tip of the lateral malleolus with thread and tape. With the foot in the neutral position, the tape is then passed into the calcaneal tunnel and attached with an interference screw to strengthen the CFL. The ATFL is grasped with a Mini-Scorpion suture passer and pressed against the anchor with the foot in neutral position. A knotless anchor is impacted 5 mm above with the threads of the soft anchor, creating double-row fixation. This technique is indicated in proximal tears of the AFTL associated with a stretched CFL.

Arthroscopy Honors 2023 Award Winning Publications and Authors

With earnest appreciation to the Arthroscopy Association of North America Education Foundation for its generous support for Arthroscopy's Annual Awards, we announce the 2023 publications determined to represent the best clinical research, basic science research, resident/fellow research, and systematic reviews published in 2023, as well as the most downloaded and most cited articles published 5 years ago. This year, we also present the inaugural award for the Most Viewed Arthroscopy Techniques article and video published 5 years ago, as well as our best Podcasts of 2023.

Avulsion fracture is associated with more pain after anatomic repair procedure for ATFL injury at the talar side

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anatomic repair procedure for chronic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury at the talar side, and to compare the outcomes between patients with and without concomitant avulsion fractures. It was hypothesized that anatomic repair procedure could produce similarly satisfactory outcomes for those two groups.

METHODS

Thirty-nine consecutive patients with chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side who underwent anatomic repair procedure at the department of sports medicine at Peking University Third Hospital between 2013 and 2018, were retrospectively evaluated. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Tegner score, and Foot & Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were recorded as the primary outcomes. Time to return to sports (RTS), surgical satisfaction, deficiency of ankle range of motion (ROM), recurrent sprain, and postoperative complications were recorded as the secondary outcomes. Outcomes were compared between patients with (Group A, 16 cases) and without (Group B, 23 cases) concomitant avulsion fractures.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 79.4 ± 17.0 and 76.6 ± 18.5 months for Group A and B, respectively. VAS, AOFAS, Tegner, FAOS, and all subscale scores of FAOS were significantly improved in both groups at the final follow up. Patients in group A had inferior postoperative VAS, AOFAS, FAOS, and pain score of FAOS compared to group B (1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, 89.1 ± 10.1 vs. 95.2 ± 5.2, 87.2 ± 7.2 vs. 91.5 ± 4.1, and 88.4 ± 11.3 vs. 96.7 ± 3.5, respectively).The mean time to RTS, rate of satisfaction and recurrent sprain had no significant differences between group A and B (6.1 ± 2.8, 93.8%, and 18.8% vs. 5.2 ± 2.2, 100.0%, and 13.0%, respectively), and the rate of ROM deficiency was significantly higher in group A (37.5 vs. 8.7%). Avulsion fracture was identified as an independent risk factor for inferior pain score of FAOS.

CONCLUSION

Anatomic repair procedure for chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side produces favourable results for patients with and without avulsion fractures at 5 to 10 years follow-up, however, avulsion fracture is associated with more pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.