Arthroscopy is becoming an essential tool for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. It allows the surgeon to determine which ligaments are injured and choose the most appropriate surgical repair technique, and also to assess and treat any associated injuries. Several arthroscopic techniques for lateral ankle ligament repair have recently been developed. As a consequence, it may be possible to carry out complete lateral ligament reconstruction with an all-arthroscopic procedure. Such an arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction technique is described in this article.

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Purpose Anatomic reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament is a valid treatment of chronic hindfoot instability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of this procedure performed by an all-inside endoscopic technique. Methods This study is a retrospective evaluation of a prospective database. Subjects were all patients who underwent an endoscopic lateral ligament reconstruction between 2013 and 2016. All patients had symptoms of ankle instability with positive manual stress testing and failed nonoperative treatment during at least 6 months. At final follow-up the outcome was assessed using the visual analogue score (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and Karlsson-Peterson scores. Results After an average follow-up of 31.5 ± 6.9 months, all patients reported significant improvement compared to their preoperative status. The preoperative AOFAS score improved from 76.4 ± 15 to 94.7 ± 11.7 postoperatively (p = 0.0001). The preoperative Karlsson-Peterson score increased from 73.0 ± 16.0 to 93.7 ± 10.6 postoperatively (p = 0.0001). The VAS score improved from 1.9 ± 2.5 to 0.8 ± 1.7 (p < 0.001). Two patients had complaints of recurrent instability. Conclusion Endoscopic ligament reconstruction for chronic lateral ankle instability is a safe procedure and produces good clinical results with minimal complications. In addition, the endoscopic approach allows an assessment of the ankle joint and treatment of associated intra-articular lesions. Level of evidence II.

Purpose The open "Broström-Gould" procedure has become the gold standard technique for the treatment of chronic ankle instability. Although arthroscopic techniques treating ankle instability have significantly evolved in the last years, no all arthroscopic Broström-Gould has been described. The aim of the study was to describe the all-arthroscopic Broström-Gould technique [anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair with biological augmentation using the inferior extensor retinaculum (IER)], and to evaluate the clinical results in a group of patients. Methods Fifty-five patients with isolated lateral ankle instability were arthroscopically treated. Arthroscopic ATFL repair with biological augmentation was performed through a two-step procedure. First, the ligament is reattached through an arthroscopic procedure. Next, the ligament is augmented with the IER that is endoscopically grasped. Both the ligament repair and its augmentation with IER were performed with the help of an automatic suture passer and two soft anchors. Characteristics of the patients, and pre-and postoperatively AOFAS and Karlsson scores were recorded. ResultsThe median preoperative AOFAS score increased from 74 (range 48-84) to 90 (range 63-100). According to the Karlsson score, the median preoperative average increased from 65 (range 42-82) to 95 (range 65-100). No major complications were reported. Only one case (1.8%) required a revision surgery at 23 months of follow-up. ConclusionThe arthroscopic all-inside ATFL repair with biological augmentation using the IER is a reproducible technique. Excellent clinical results were obtained. The technique has the advantage of its minimally invasive approach and the potential to treat concomitant ankle intra-articular pathology. Level of evidence Retrospective case series, Level IV.

PurposeThe lateral ligament complex of the ankle has been extensively studied. Recently an anatomical study described a connection between anterior taloibular ligament inferior fascicle (ATFLif) and calcaneoibular ligament (CFL). The applicability and the mechanical role of these connections have not yet been studied and need to be clariied. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the connection between ATFLif and CFL through a dynamic measurement analysis. Methods An anatomical study was performed in 13 fresh-frozen below-the-knee ankle specimens. Each specimen was dissected in a protocolized manner until the lateral ligaments were exposed. A complete injury to both ATFL's fascicles was created in the proximal third of the ligament. A displacement transducer speciically design was inserted in the CFL and in the lateral part of the calcaneus to test its lengthening. A traction of 1 kg weight (9.8 N) was applied to ATFLif while the transducer measured the lengthening that this force created in the CFL. Results A total of 13 ankle specimens were carefully dissected. One specimen with signals of a prior traumatic injury of the ATFLif was excluded. A total of 12 specimens were included, 7 females and 5 males with an average age of 74 years (52-88 years). The right ankle was dissected in 6 specimens. ATFL was identiied as a two-fascicled ligament in all cases. The ibers connecting the ATFLif and CFL were observed in all specimens. The displacement transducer showed lengthening in the CFL in all measurements with a median of 0.59 mm (SD ± 0.34). Conclusion Connecting ibers between ATFLif and CFL are robust enough to transmit tension from one structure to the other. In the case of associated proximal lesions of the ATFLif and CFL, ligaments repair with a single suture may be considered. This can be applied in surgical procedures in patients with lateral ankle instability.

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This arthroscopic classification of chronic ATFL lesions confirms the diagnostic role for arthroscopy in assessing the ligaments in patients with CAI. It is helpful for determining the best surgical technique for stabilising the ankle. These results must be confirmed in a larger study.

The described technique, which involves an anatomical endoscopic reconstruction of the ATFL and CFL, using a gracilis graft, is a viable option to treat lateral ankle instability. This technique is reproducible and safe with regard to the surrounding anatomical structures.