Reconstruction for Chronic Lateral Instability of the Ankle by Chen Method

Lee, Gi Haeng; Yoo, Jong Min; Na, Gee Tae; Kong, Yoon Bae; Chu, In Tak

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographical results of anatomical reconstruction by Chen method for chronic lateral ankle instability.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifteen patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who had undergone anatomical reconstruction of anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments by Chen method were evaluated retrospectively. Average age of the patients was 31.3 years, and average follow-up period was 15.5 months. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs including varus stress view and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed. The clinical evaluation was performed according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale.
RESULTS
Radiographically average talar tilt angle was 15.3degrees preoperatively, and the difference with contralateral normal side was 10.1degrees. At last follow up, talar tile angle and the difference with contralateral side improved to 5.9degrees and 1.3degrees respectively. AOFAS scale was 66.6 preoperatively and 87.3 postoperatively. In MRI findings, four patients had associated intra-articular lesion such as articular cartilage defect, synovitis and osteoarthritis. The talar tilt angle improvement and AOFAS scale of patients without intra-articular lesion was better than those of four patients with intra-articular lesions. Surgical wound pain occurred in six patients and sural neuropathy in three patients.
CONCLUSION
The anatomical reconstruction by Chen method was an easy and effective procedure for symptomatic chronic lateral ankle instability. Careful operative technique may prevent the surgical wound pain and sural neuropathy.