Comparison of Clinical Outcomes after Arthroscopic Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair with or without Inferior Extensor Retinaculum Augmentation

CATEGORY: Sports; Arthroscopy INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Though several arthroscopic surgical techniques for the treatment of lateral instability of the ankle have been introduced recently; the effect for the inferior extensor retinaculum augmentation is remained unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair with or without additional retinaculum augmentation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review between 2017 and 2018 of 61 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic ATFL repair surgery for chronic ankle lateral instability. The exclusion criteria were previous surgery on affected ankle and combined medial ligament instability. Demographic data were evaluated including age, gender, smoking, Body mass index, generalized hyperlaxity and concomitant lesions. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether retinaculum repair or not. Clinical results were analysed to compare groups A and R preoperatively and at minimum follow-up of 1 years by using the Visual Analogue Scale, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Foot and Ankle Outcome score (FAOS), and Karlsson Ankle Functional Score. Radiologic outcome evaluations were performed preoperatively and at 2 year postoperatively at final follow-up using anterior talar translation, and talar tilt angle. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: group A consisted of 29 patients who underwent only arthroscopic ATFL repair and group R consisted of 32 patients who underwent arthroscopic ATFL repair and additional retinaculum augmentation. There was no difference statistically between two group in demographics (Table 1). All clinical scores were improved after surgery in both groups. (P<0.001) There were no differences were found in VAS, AOFAS score, total FAOS and Karlsson score between two groups. However, sports activity unit in FAOS, there were significant differences between group A (71.4 +- 8.1) and group R (83.4 +- 8.6) (Table 2). (p=0.032) Radiographic data also showed no differences (Table 3). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic ATFL repair achieved improved outcomes postoperatively with or without retinaculum augmentation. However, among physically active patients with chronic ankle lateral instability, arthroscopic ATFL repair with retinaculum augmentation results in better sports activity unit in FAOS as compare with arthroscopic ATFL repair alone.