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

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the clinical outcomes and complications of lateral ligament reconstruction performed using soft anchors according to the arthroscopic modified Broström technique (MBT) for the treatment of chronic ankle instability (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 January 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Ankle function was evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and Karlsson Ankle Function Score (Karlsson/Peterson, K/D score), while pain was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after a minimum follow-up of 12 months. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 23.6±7.7 months. The mean overall AOFAS score was 74.0±2.6 preoperatively, which improved to 96.2±1.9 in the postoperative period (p=0.001). The mean 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) and showed a significant improvement to 0.6±0.5 (range, 0 to 1) in the postoperative period (p=0.001). Nine (64.3%) patients returned to sports activities after surgery at a mean period of 9±2.1 months. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of CAI, arthroscopic MBT performed with soft anchors provides successful outcomes in short-term follow-up. In addition to being a minimally invasive technique, MBT is a reliable and safe approach with low complication rates and significant functional improvement. However, the low ratio of return to sports should be considered as a failure of this technique.