Arthroscopic Findings and Treatment of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Lee, Seung Yong; Kim, Gab Lae; Park, Deok Yong

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the arthroscopic findings in chronic lateral ankle instability and to evaluate the results of modified Brostrom operation and arthroscopic procedures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-nine cases with chronic lateral ankle instability were treated with modified Brostrom operation and ankle arthroscopy from May 2004 to January 2007. There were 19 male and 10 female with the mean age of 29.7 years. Mean follow up period was 15.8 months. All patients were checked preoperative stress anterior drawer and varus test with X-ray.
RESULTS
Associated injuries were 28 fat impingement projected into the joint between distal tibio-fibular space, 20 anterior impingement of soft tissue, 19 osteochondral defects and 13 loose body. Preoperative AOFAS score of pain, function and alignment were 28.9, 34.1 and 7.9 each other. They were improved into 38.7, 40.8 and 9.8 postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS
Modified Brostrom operation with ankle arthroscopy for chronic lateral ankle instability is believed to be a reliable option to obtain satisfactory results. Careful attention to the associated injuries such as distal fat impingement, anterior impingement, osteochondral defect and loose body is needed during the arthroscopy.