Arthroscopic Anatomic Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair for Anterolateral Ankle Instability

Background: Rotational ankle instability (RAI) is associated with the faster onset of severe ankle osteoarthritis via dysfunction of the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and deltoid ligament. No specific clinical examination is available for RAI, and diagnostic imaging has limitations in evaluating ligament degradation. This study investigated the deltoid ligament degeneration using Hounsfield unit (HU) values on computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: Patients were enrolled in this retrospective analysis if they had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scans of the ankle. The chronic ankle instability (CAI) group comprised 20 ankles with CAI (9 men, 11 women; mean age, 28.7 years) and the control group comprised 28 ankles (16 men, 12 women, mean age, 41.3 years). The average HU values of the deep posterior tibiotalar ligament (dPTL) that constitutes the deltoid ligament were measured on coronal CT images, and MRI results were used as a reference. All patients were subdivided based on the MRI findings of dPTL injury such as fascicular disruption, irregularity, and the loss of striation. Results: A strong negative correlation was identified between age and HU values for all patients (Spearman ρ = −0.63; P < .001). The mean HU values of the dPTL for participants aged <60 years were 81.0 HU for the control group (21 ankles) and 69.5 HU for the CAI group ( P = .0075). No significant differences in the HU values were observed for the dPTL among the MRI subgroups. Conclusion: In addition to the conventional imaging examination such as stress radiographs and MRI, HU measurements of CT images could be useful for quantitatively and noninvasively evaluating degenerative changes in the deltoid ligament for CAI patients to assist the diagnosis of RAI. Level of Evidence: Level III. case-control study.

Download Full-text

Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2* Mapping of the Talar Dome and Subtalar Joint Cartilage 3 Years After Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair or Reconstruction in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520982240 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 737-746

Author(s):

Yiwen Hu ◽

Yuyang Zhang ◽

Qianru Li ◽

Yuxue Xie ◽

Rong Lu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Anterior Talofibular Ligament ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Talar Dome ◽

Lateral Ankle ◽

Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability ◽

Lateral Ankle Instability

Background: Cartilage degeneration is a common issue in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. However, there are limited studies regarding the effectiveness of lateral ligament surgery on preventing talar and subtalar joint cartilage from further degenerative changes. Purpose: To longitudinally evaluate talar and subtalar cartilage compositional changes using magnetic resonance imaging T2* mapping in anatomic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)–repaired and ATFL-reconstructed ankles and to compare them with measures in asymptomatic controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2016, patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who underwent anatomic ATFL repair (n = 19) and reconstruction (n = 20) were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 3-year follow-up. As asymptomatic controls, 21 healthy volunteers were recruited and underwent imaging at baseline. Talar dome cartilage was divided into (1) medial anterior, central, and posterior and (2) lateral anterior, central, and posterior. Posterior subtalar cartilage was divided into (1) central talus and calcaneus and (2) lateral talus and calcaneus. Ankle function was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scores. Results: There were significant increases in T2* values in medial and lateral posterior and central talus cartilage from baseline to 3-year follow-up in patients who underwent repair. T2* values were significantly higher in ATFL-repaired ankles at follow-up for all cartilage regions of interest, except medial and lateral anterior and lateral central, compared with those in healthy controls. From baseline to 3-year follow-up, ATFL-reconstructed ankles had a significant increase in T2* values in lateral central and posterior cartilage. T2* values in ATFL-reconstructed ankles at follow-up were elevated in all cartilage regions of interest, except medial and lateral anterior, compared with those in healthy controls. ATFL-repaired ankles showed a greater decrease of T2* values from baseline to follow-up in lateral calcaneus cartilage than did ATFL-reconstructed ankles ( P = .031). No significant differences in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score were found between repair and reconstruction procedures (mean ± SD, 19.11 ± 7.45 vs 16.85 ± 6.24; P = .311). Conclusion: Neither anatomic ATFL repair nor reconstruction could prevent the progression of talar dome and posterior subtalar cartilage degeneration; however, ankle function and activity levels were not affected over a short period. Patients who underwent ATFL repair exhibited lower T2* values in the lateral calcaneus cartilage than did those who underwent reconstruction.

Download Full-text

Additional Inferior Extensor Retinaculum Augmentation After All-Inside Arthroscopic Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair for Chronic Ankle Instability Is Not Necessary

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/03635465211008097 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036354652110080

Author(s):

Sung Hyun Lee ◽

Hyung Gyu Cho ◽

Je Heon Yang

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Chronic Ankle Instability ◽

Anterior Talofibular Ligament ◽

Extensor Retinaculum ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Group A ◽

The Mean ◽

Inferior Extensor Retinaculum

Background: Although several arthroscopic surgical techniques for the treatment of chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been introduced recently, the effect of inferior extensor retinaculum (IER) augmentation remains unclear. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair according to whether additional IER augmentation was performed or not. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic ATFL repair surgery for CAI between 2016 and 2018. The mean age of the patients was 35.2 years (range, 19-51 years), and the mean follow-up period was 32.6 months (range, 24-48 months). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical technique used for CAI: arthroscopic ATFL repair (group A; n = 37) and arthroscopic ATFL repair with additional IER augmentation (group R; n = 45). The pain visual analog scale, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, and the Karlsson Ankle Function Score were measured as subjective outcomes, and posturographic analysis was performed using a Tetrax device as an objective outcome. Radiologic outcome evaluations were performed preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively using stress radiographs and axial view magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Out of 101 patients, 19 (18.5%) were excluded per the exclusion criteria, and 82 were evaluated. We identified 6 retears (7.3%) based on postoperative MRI evaluation. All patients who had ATFL retear on MRI (8.1% [3/37] in group A and 6.7% [3/45] in group R) demonstrated recurrent CAI with functional discomfort and anterior displacement >3 mm as compared with the intact contralateral ankle. All clinical scores and posturography results were improved after surgery in both groups ( P < .001). However, there were no significant differences in the clinical results and radiologic findings between the groups. Conclusion: The clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients with CAI improved after all-inside arthroscopic ATFL repair. However, additional IER augmentation after arthroscopic ATFL repair did not guarantee better clinical outcomes.

Download Full-text

Arthroscopic Lateral Ligament Repair for Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review

Benha Medical Journal ◽

10.21608/bmfj.2021.141715 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

pp. 0-0

Author(s):

Amr Younis ◽

Emad Eldin Esmat ◽

Mohamed Singer

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Chronic Ankle Instability ◽

Lateral Ligament ◽

Ligament Repair

Download Full-text

Minimally Invasive Reconstruction of Anterior Talofibular Ligament with Partial Peroneus Brevis Tendon in the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery Asia Pacific ◽

10.5005/jp-journals-10040-1004 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 12-16

Author(s):

Qian-bo Chen ◽

Xiao-kang Tan ◽

Chen-song Yuan ◽

Xu Tao ◽

Hong-hui Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Ankle Instability ◽

Asia Pacific ◽

Anterior Talofibular Ligament ◽

Lateral Ankle ◽

Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability ◽

Lateral Ankle Instability ◽

Peroneus Brevis

ABSTRACT Background Chronic lateral ankle instability causes significant problems in physical activity and accelerates development of osteoarthritic changes. Many procedures were designed to reconstruct the anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. Although most of them were effective, but brought big trauma and sacrifice of some tendons. Objective To design a minimally invasive ATFL reconstruction with partial peroneus brevis tendon and evaluate its clinical outcomes. Study design Nonrandomized controlled clinical trial. Materials and methods From 2004 to 2012, 29 patients of chronic lateral ankle instability were treated with minimally invasive ATFL reconstruction with partial peroneus brevis tendon. A 3 cm curved incision was made to explore the ATFL origin and its insertion. Half peroneus brevis tendon was taken to reconstruct the ATFL through the bone tunnel from the insertion of CFL to the insertion of ATFL in the fibular, and then fixed to ATFL insertion location on the talus. All patients were followed-up by radiology and clinical examination at least two years. Their ATFLs were always evaluated by standard stress X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to surgery and every 1 year after the operation. Functional results were assessed in terms of Karlsson score and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) anklehind foot score. Results The average follow-up period was 57.9 months (24- 114 months). The majority of results (93.1%) were satisfactory. The mean Karlsson score improved from 41.7 prior to surgery to 88.6 and AOFAS from an average 47.2 preoperatively to 91.7 postoperatively at the final follow-up visit. Paired t-tests showed improvements of great significance (p < 0.01). The ligaments were proved be reconstructed well in all patients by MRI. It showed the negative talar tilt sign postoperatively by stress X-rays. There was no recurrence of lateral ankle instability. Conclusion The minimally invasive ATFL reconstruction with partial peroneus brevis tendon has advantages of small trauma, good reconstruction and excellent clinical outcomes, thus, is a safe and effective method for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. How to cite this article Chen Q, Tan X, Yuan C, Tao X, Cao H, Xu J, Tang K. Minimally Invasive Reconstruction of Anterior Talofibular Ligament with Partial Peroneus Brevis Tendon in the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia-Pacific) 2014;1(1):12-16.

Download Full-text