A Novel Technique of Arthroscopic Ankle Lateral Ligament Repair Using a Knotless Suture Anchor

BACKGROUND: Although arthroscopic lateral ligament repair (ALLR) with suture anchors for chronic lateral ankle instability has become widely accepted, some complications have been reported as well. Establishment of a new technique is essential for better clinical outcomes after ALLR. PURPOSE: To report a novel technique and good clinical results of ALLR using a knotless suture anchor. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: We examined 30 patients (16 men and 14 women) who underwent ALLR. The mean age of the patients was 30.0 years, and the average period of postoperative monitoring was 21 months. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) ankle-hindfoot scale was used for clinical evaluation postoperatively, and the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q) for patient-reported results. Surgical complications were also examined. RESULTS: The JSSF ankle-hindfoot scale showed a significant improvement from preoperatively to follow-up (from 72.1 to 96.1; P < 0.001), and the SAFE-Q was significantly improved in all subscales (pain and pain-related, physical function and daily living, social function, shoe-related, and general health and well-being; P < 0.004 for all). Complications included residual joint pain due to remaining osteophytes in 1 case, scar pain of the accessory anterolateral portal in 2 cases, and positive Tinel sign indicative of superficial peroneal nerve irritation at the anterolateral portal in 1 case. CONCLUSION: The clinical results of the novel ALLR technique were overall satisfactory. Knot-related complications, one of the main reasons for postoperative complications, were reduced by using a knotless suture anchor.