Arthroscopic Repair of Anterior Talofibular Ligament Using the Pull-Out Technique for Chronic Ankle Instability: Case Report

Arthroscopic repair of the lateral ankle ligament using the anchor system has been increasingly reported. We treated a 39-year-old woman who suffered from pain and instability in her left ankle joint. She was diagnosed with chronic ankle instability and an osteochondral lesion of the talar dome. For this patient, arthroscopic repair of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) was performed. Standard anteromedial and anterolateral portals were placed, and excision of the osteochondral fragment and microfracture were performed. Then, an accessory anterolateral (AAL) portal was placed. No. 2 nylon sutures were inserted into the ATFL remnant through the AAL portal. Two bone tunnels were created at the footprint of the fibula attachment toward the posterior edge of the lateral malleolus using a passing pin, and nylon sutures anchored in the ATFL were retrieved toward the posterior fibula. The foot was held in neutral position with eversion, and nylon sutures were tied at the posterior fibula. At 1 year after surgery, the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot scale was improved from the preoperative value of 48 points to a postoperative value of 100 points. Stress radiography showed no difference of talar tilt angle between the involved and noninvolved ankles. Joint position sense was also improved at 3 and 6 months after surgery. This arthroscopic repair of the ATFL using the pull-out technique enabled achievement of an improved clinical score and stability of the ankle and proprioception, and there was no concern about complications of the anchor system.     

Characteristics of Chronic Ankle Instability Requiring Both Anterior Talofibular and Calcaneofibular Ligament Repair

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) leads to the ankle osteoarthritis (OA), and ligament repair is performed to restore ankle stability. However, anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair alone is not sufficient to stabilize the ankle in some cases, which additionally require calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) repair. This study aimed to explore characteristics of CAI that necessitated the repair of both ATFL and CFL. Forty-three patients (44 ankles) with CAI treated operatively were retrospectively reviewed. After ATFL repair, patients with residual ankle instability revealed by the varus stress under fluoroscopy additionally underwent CFL repair. Preoperative condition and intraoperative findings of the combined ATFL and CFL repair (AC) (n = 24) and only ATFL repair (A) (n = 20) groups were compared. The ankle activity score of group AC was significantly higher (p < .05) than that of group A. OA changes at the medial gutter were observed in 62.5% (15/24) in the group AC and 20% (4/20) in group A. Chondral/osteochondral lesions were seen in 66.7% (16/24) in the group AC and 20% (4/20) in group A. The remnant quality in group AC was inferior to that of group A. CAI that necessitated both ATFL and CFL repair exhibited characteristic findings such as high ankle activity score, high rate of chondral/osteochondral lesions and/or OA changes, and poor quality of ATFL remnants compared to those in CAI that required only ATFL repair. The repair of both ATFL and CFL should be considered in CAI which exhibit these characteristics to ensure complete correction of the instability.     

Comparison Between the Simultaneous Reconstructions of the Anterior Talofibular Ligament and Calcaneofibular Ligament and the Single Reconstruction of the Anterior Talofibular Ligament for the Treatment of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

This study aimed to evaluate the procedures of reconstruction surgery for chronic lateral ankle instability. We compared single anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction to simultaneous reconstructions of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments. From 2015 to 2019, 14 consecutive patients diagnosed with chronic lateral ankle instability underwent arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction with or without calcaneofibular ligament reconstruction after conservative treatment. Seven patients underwent single anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction (group AT), and 7 patients underwent simultaneous reconstructions of the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament (group AC). The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot scale scores and Karlsson scores significantly improved in all patients 1 year postoperatively. The radiographic measurement of the talar tilt angle and the talar anterior drawer distance at 1 year after surgery were also significantly improved compared to preoperative values. The postoperative talar tilt angle was significantly greater in group AT (median 6°, range 3°-7°) than that in group AC (median 3°, range 2°-5°; p = .038). The postoperative talar anterior drawer distance, Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot scale score, and Karlsson score were not significantly different between the 2 groups.We found that although the clinical outcomes after the anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction with or without the calcaneofibular ligament reconstruction for chronic lateral ankle instability were good, instability of the talar tilt angle at 1 year postoperatively in patients who underwent single anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction was greater than that in patients who underwent simultaneous anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament reconstructions.     

All-Inside Arthroscopic Anterior Talofibular Ligament Anatomic Reconstruction With a Gracilis Tendon Autograft for Chronic Ankle Instability in High-Demand Patients

The goal of this study was to evaluate the surgical technique and clinical outcome of all-inside arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament anatomic reconstruction with a gracilis tendon autograft for chronic ankle instability in high-demand patients. Fifteen consecutive patients (14 [93.3%] males and 1 [6.7%] female, mean age 31.9 ± 7.8 [range 21 to 48] years) with chronic ankle instability were enrolled in this study. Under direct arthroscopic visualization, bone tunnels were created in the fibula and talus by a 4.5-mm cannulated drill system. The gracilis tendon autograft was passed through the tunnels and secured by 5.0-mm interference screws. At the final follow-up, functional evaluation was carried out according to the Ankle-Hindfoot Score by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Sefton grading system, and visual analog scale score. Complications were also recorded. Mean follow-up was 19.5 ± 1.8 (range 18 to 24) months. No complications of wound infection and nerve injury were noted. No patients experienced recurrent ankle instability. Radiologically, the mean varus tilting angle was 15.2° ± 1.5° before surgery and 4.3° ± 1.2° at the last follow-up (p ≤ .001). The anterior drawer distance was 13.2 ± 1.5 mm before surgery and 4.8 ± 1.1 mm at last follow-up (p ≤ .001). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and visual analog scale scores were 56.8 ± 10.5 and 5.7 ± 1.3 before surgery, which became 90.2 ± 6.2 and 0.5 ± 0.8 after surgery. Fourteen (93.3%) patients reported excellent/good functional results according to the Sefton grading system (6 [40.0%] excellent, 8 [53.3%] good, and 1 [6.7%] fair). From our clinical experience, all-inside arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament anatomic reconstruction with a gracilis tendon is an effective treatment for chronic ankle instability in high-demand patients.     

Arthroscopic Suture-Bridge Repair Technique for an Avulsion of the Talar Insertion of the Anterior Talofibular Ligament

There are several studies about arthroscopic repair techniques for the lesion of the anterior talofibular ligament. However, the research concentrating on the avulsion of the talar insertion of the anterior talofibular ligament is very rare. Among 122 patients who suffered from recurrent ankle sprain and underwent arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament repair from October 2016 to January 2019 in our hospital, 11 patients with an avulsion of the talar insertion of this ligament were diagnosed and then treated with the arthroscopic suture-bridge repair technique in the present study. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Karlsson-Peterson score, Ankle and hindfoot score by American Orthopedic of Foot and Ankle Society, Sefton articular stability scale and Visual Analogue Scale. The complications were recorded at the time of observation. The median value of the follow-up time was 30 (range 18-36) months. At the final follow-up, the median value of the Karlsson-Peterson score, American Orthopedic of Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, and Visual Analogue Scale score was 90, 90, 1, respectively. Based on the Sefton stability scale, 10 cases were in the excellent or good category. No wound infections and no neurovascular injuries were encountered, also no case required revision surgery. Only 1 patient complained about mild local irritation at the knotless anchor site. The arthroscopic suture-bridge technique could be suitable for treatment of an avulsion of the talar insertion of the anterior talofibular ligament due to satisfactory activity recovery and few complications.     

Biomechanics Following Anatomic Lateral Ligament Repair of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review

One of the most common orthopedic injuries in the general population, particularly among athletes, is ankle sprain. We investigated the literature to evaluate the known pre- and postoperative biomechanical changes of the ankle after anatomic lateral ligament repair in patients suffering from chronic ankle instability. In this systematic review, studies published till January 2020 were identified by using synonyms for “kinetic outcomes,” "kinematic outcomes,” “Broström procedure,” and “lateral ligament repair.” Included studies reported on pre- and postoperative kinematic and/or kinetic data. Twelve articles, including 496 patients treated with anatomic lateral ligament repair, were selected for critical appraisal. Following surgery, both preoperative talar tilt and anterior talar translation were reduced similarly to the values found in the uninjured contralateral side. However, 16 of 152 (10.5%) patients showed a decrease in ankle range of motion after the surgery. Despite the use of these various techniques, there were no identifiable differences in biomechanical postoperative outcomes. Anatomic lateral ligament repair for chronic ankle instability can restore ankle biomechanics similar to that of healthy uninjured individuals. There is currently no biomechanical evidence to support or refute a biomechanical advantage of any of the currently used surgical ligament repair techniques mentioned among included studies.     

人工LARS韧带在慢性踝关节外侧不稳定中的应用

目的 探讨人工LARS韧带在慢性踝关节外侧不稳定中的应用疗效。方法 回顾性分析北部战区总医院骨科2018年1月至2019年12月收治的30例慢性踝关节外侧不稳病例的临床资料,均为男性,年龄为（23.1±5.3）岁（18~27岁）,左踝19例,右踝11例。由同一位医生采用仰卧位全关节镜下行外踝Y形人工LARS韧带重建术。观察术后2周切口愈合情况,术前及术后12个月内翻应力位距骨倾斜角度。记录术前及末次随访时美国足踝外科医师协会（American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS）踝与后足功能评分系统、踝关节功能Kofoed评分、疼痛视觉模拟量表（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分。术后指导病例行相关康复锻炼。结果 病人随访时间为（12.6±1.7）个月（12~24个月）,全部病例踝关节切口愈合情况佳,无感染等并发症发生,术后恢复满意。AOFAS评分和Kofoed评分分别由术前（42.20±5.98）分、（66.17±3.31）分提升至术后（80.63±5.39）分、（81.60±4.35）分,VAS评分由术前（7.63±0.85）分降至术后（1.03±0.67）分,内翻应力位距骨倾斜角度由术前14.73°±1.46°缩小至术后12个月的2.83°±1.01°,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。术后各项康复锻炼均达到预期目标。结论 应用人工LARS韧带治疗慢性踝关节外侧不稳疗效满意,具有踝关节稳定性好,快速恢复运动等优点,有效避免下肢深静脉血栓形成及肌肉萎缩,值得在临床上推广。     

Rotational Instability after Anterior Talofibular and Calcaneofibular Ligament Section: The Experimental Basis for the Ankle Pivot Test

The clinical diagnosis of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) rupture is based on the findings from the medical history and the anterior drawer test, a maneuver that allegedly pushes the talus and rearfoot anteriorly, although with great variability in its sensitivity. We consider that an ATFL rupture is best evaluated by a rotational vector (i.e., a pivot test) owing to the uncompromised medial ligaments that will block any pure anterior translation of the talus underneath the tibia. We idealized a constrained ankle cadaver model that only allows talar movements in the axial plane. Our hypothesis was that progressive sectioning of the lateral ankle ligaments in this model would cause a progressive and significant angular laxity in internal rotation. Our results showed 3.67 degrees ± 1.2 degrees of talus rotational laxity in the intact ankle, 9.6 degrees ± 3.2 degrees after ATFL sectioning, and 13.43 degrees ± 3.2 degrees after ATFL and calcaneofibular ligament sectioning, indicating almost threefold increase in internal talocrural rotation after single ATFL sectioning and an almost fourfold increase after double (ATFL and calcaneofibular ligament) sectioning. We consider this evidence of rotational ankle laxity to be a major step in defining the correct movement to diagnose an ATFL rupture and propose a new term to avoid further inconsistencies and variability, “the pivot test.”     

The Influence of Suture-Tape Augmentation on Biological Healing of the Anterior Talofibular Ligament in Chronic Ankle Instability: A Quantitative Analysis Using MRI

While the effectiveness of suture-tape augmentation for chronic ankle instability has been supported biomechanically and clinically, little information is available regarding biological changes of the lateral ligaments postoperatively. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate ligament regeneration with MRI after suture-tape augmentation. Forty-six patients underwent MRI scan at follow-up of a minimum of 1 year after lateral ligaments augmentation using suture-tape. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and width of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) were measured on preoperative and postoperative MRI by 3 researchers. The degree of biological healing of ATFL was analyzed based on the change of SNR and comparison with normal contralateral ankle. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure. Mean Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure scores improved significantly from 63.1 to 92.7, and 59.6 to 91.5 points at final follow-up, respectively (p < .001). Mean SNR and width of ATFL were changed insignificantly from 8.24 to 7.96, and 1.88 mm to 2.05 mm at final follow-up, respectively (p = .391, .509). As compared to contralateral side, there were significant differences in both mean SNR and width of the ATFL, respectively (p < .001, p = .0012). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed no significant association between clinical outcomes and degree of biological healing of ATFL based on MRI. Despite significant improvement in patient-reported clinical outcomes, the influence on ligament regeneration of suture-tape augmentation for chronic ankle instability was insignificant. In addition, there was no significant correlation between clinical outcomes and degree of biological healing of the ATFL.     

Evans' Repair of Lateral Instability of the Ankle Joint

A follow-up study is presented of 26 ankle joints with recurrent lateral instability, treated with surgical repair by the Evans method. The median follow-up period was 3.1 (range 1.1-6.9) years. Normal stability was achieved in 73 per cent of the ankles, and another 12 per cent were improved. Similar results are obtained with other methods of surgical repair. Preoperatively 82 per cent of the joints had a positive anterior drawer symptom. This was only found in 12 per cent postoperatively, and these ankles were all classified as having poor results, indicating the importance of reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament.