Modified arthroscopic Broström procedure using asoft anchor for chronic lateral ankle instability:Short-term follow-up results

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the clinical outcomesand complications of lateral ligament reconstruction performedusing soft anchors according to the arthroscopic modifiedBroström technique (MBT) for the treatment of chronic ankleinstability (CAI) and to evaluate the frequency of return to sports. Patients and methods: A total of 14 patients with CAI (9 males,5 females; mean age: 30.1±4.6 years; range, 22 to 38 years)who underwent the MBT with soft anchors between January2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Anklefunction was evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot& Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and KarlssonAnkle Function Score (Karlsson/Peterson, K/D score), whilepain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after aminimum follow-up of 12 months. Results: The mean follow-up was 23.6±7.7 months. The meanoverall AOFAS score was 74.0±2.6 preoperatively, whichimproved to 96.2±1.9 in the postoperative period (p=0.001). Themean pre- and postoperative K/P scores were 72.4±3.1 (range,68 to 78) and 95.3±2.2 (range, 92 to 98), respectively (p=0.001).The mean preoperative VAS score was 2.4±0.9 (range, 1 to 4) andshowed a significant improvement to 0.6±0.5 (range, 0 to 1) in thepostoperative period (p=0.001). Nine (64.3%) patients returned tosports activities after surgery at a mean period of 9±2.1 months. Conclusion: In the treatment of CAI, arthroscopic MBTperformed with soft anchors provides successful outcomesin short-term follow-up. In addition to being a minimallyinvasive technique, MBT is a reliable and safe approach withlow complication rates and significant functional improvement.However, the low ratio of return to sports should be consideredas a failure of this technique.