Recognition of Failure Modes of Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction: Revision and Salvage Options

Revision lateral ankle ligament reconstruction for patients with a failed modified Brostrom procedure

PURPOSE

The Brostrom-Gould procedure has been considered as a gold standard operative technique for chronic lateral ankle instability. Despite the popularity and excellent outcomes of the modified Brostrom procedure, some patients still experience recurrence of ankle instability. Few studies reported outcomes of revision reconstruction for patients with a failed modified Brostrom procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of a percutaneous anatomic revision lateral ankle ligament reconstruction for patients with a failed modified Brostrom procedure.

METHODS

From March 2017 to April 2020, 21 patients with persistent ankle instability after a modified Brostrom procedure underwent revision lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. The operation was performed through minimally invasive incisions. Functional assessment was performed using the Karlsson-Peterson ankle scoring system (KP) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The questionnaires of KP and VAS were completed before surgery and at the last follow-up. Patients' subjective satisfaction level was graded as excellent, good, fair, and poor. Preoperative and postoperative anterior talar displacement and varus talus tilt angle in stress radiographs were recorded.

RESULTS

The average age at the revision surgery time was 39.6years. The mean follow-up was 39.2months. The VAS score improved from 4.1 ± 1.5 preoperatively to 1.3 ± 1.3 at the final follow-up (p < .05). The KP score improved from 59.0 ± 20.2 preoperatively to 88.2 ± 9.6 at the last follow-up (p < .05). The mean varus talar tilt angle was 14.1 ± 3.9 mm preoperatively versus 4.9 ± 4.7 mm at the final follow-up (p < .05). The mean anterior talar displacement was 12.8 ± 2.2 mm versus 5.6 ± 3.7 mm at the last follow-up (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The revision anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle is effective for patients with recurrent instability after a failed modified Broström procedure.

Failed Cavovarus Reconstruction: Reconstructive Possibilities and a Proposed Treatment Algorithm

This article provides an overview of the techniques and strategies to address a failed cavovarus deformity correction. These problems pose significant challenges to the treating surgeons and should be accurately planned before embarking on surgery.

Ankle Instability

Ankle sprains are a common injury among physically active populations and occur with an incidence of around 2.15 per 1000 person-years. This article discusses various surgical procedures used to treat chronic lateral ankle instability, including direct ligament repair, anatomic reconstruction, and nonanatomic reconstruction. We focus our discussion on the most common and challenging complications of ankle stabilization, both in our experience and as supported by the existing literature, including recurrent instability, superficial peroneal nerve injury, and unaddressed pathology that continues to cause symptoms and limit function. We offer possible methods to manage these conditions as well as available outcome data.