Evaluation of the results of the surgical treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability with knee flexor tendon autograft

Abstract

Objective: To clinically and radiographically evaluate a group of patients undergoing lateral ankle ligament reconstruction surgery using knee flexor tendon autograft. Methods: The study included and prospectively evaluated 10 patients undergoing lateral ankle ligament reconstruction using knee flexor autograft. Clinical evaluation was performed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), preoperatively and after 1 year of follow-up. Radiographic evaluation included anteroposterior projections associated with ankle varus stress and profile projections of the ankle anterior drawer, also preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Results: A mean preoperative AOFAS of 69.3 (SD ± 11.49) was obtained. One year after surgery, there was an increase in the mean score of 98.2 (SD ± 3.01), showing a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001). The anterior tibiotalar angle values improved markedly, with statistical significance. Although the anterior tibiotalar subluxation values also showed a marked improvement, it was not possible to calculate statistical significance; the group of 10 patients had to be divided into two, as six patients met the criteria when compared to the contralateral side (group 1) and four patients had an absolute value of anterior subluxation of more than 10 mm (group 2). Conclusion: After clinical and radiographic evaluation comparing preoperative and 1-year postoperative data, we conclude that in the analyzed group, the reconstruction technique used produced good or excellent results and should be considered for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective Comparative Study.