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Lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft in patients with severe chronic ankle instability

  • Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Chronic ankle instability is a condition of perception of giving way and persistent pain usually following multiple ankle sprains. In case of severe joint laxity, surgical treatment with reconstruction of the lateral ligamental complex is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of patients treated with lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft for severe chronic lateral ankle instability.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of ten patients who underwent allograft external non-anatomic ligamentoplasty for severe chronic lateral ankle instability between 2009 and 2011, with an average follow-up of 16.3 months (SD 8.2). Median age at surgery was 29 years (range 25–35). All patients presented both ATFL and CFL lesion. Patients were evaluated using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, Karlsson–Peterson score, Tegner activity level, Sefton stability scale, and objective examination comprehending range of motion, anterior drawer sign and talar tilt test. Telos stress equipment was used for pre- and post-operative radiographic laxity testing.

Results

Follow-up examination at an average of 16.3 months (SD 8.2) after surgery showed significant improvement of all variables compared to pre-operative values (p < 0.001). Most patients rated their outcome as good/excellent. Telos stress radiographs documented improvement in joint stability.

Conclusions

Lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft represents a valid treatment option in patients with severe chronic lateral ankle instability.

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Conflict of interest

Each author discloses any financial and personal relationships (e.g., employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, paid expert testimony, patent applications/registrations, grants or other funding) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.O.S.D. Chirurgia Articolare Mininvasiva (Minimally Invasive Articular Surgery Unit), Istituto Ortopedico G. Pini, Piazza A. Ferrari, 1, 20122, Milan, Italy

    Alberto Ventura, Clara Terzaghi, Claudio Legnani & Enrico Borgo

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  1. Alberto Ventura
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  2. Clara Terzaghi
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  3. Claudio Legnani
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  4. Enrico Borgo
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Correspondence to Claudio Legnani.

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Ventura, A., Terzaghi, C., Legnani, C. et al. Lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft in patients with severe chronic ankle instability. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 134, 263–268 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1911-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-013-1911-6

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