Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: Results of Anatomic Repair with Polyester Tape Augmentation

Abstract

Background. Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in both athletes and the general population. A major problem accompanying ankle injury is the high rate of recurrence, with about 20% of acute ankle sprain patients developing chronic ankle instability. Unlike acute ankle sprain, chronic ankle instability usually needs surgical intervention. Various anatomic reconstruction techniques using the ruptured ends of the ligaments to restore stability have gained popularity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional results of the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability with anatomic repair of the injured ligaments and reinforcement with polyester tape. Material and methods. A prospective study of 30 consecutive patients who underwent anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligaments using transosseous suturing and augmentation using a polyester tape done at a single centre by a single surgeon from 2016 to 2017. All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and Free Online Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) were recorded and used for results analysis. Results. At 12 months’ follow-up, the AOFAS had improved from mean 52.47 ± 2.06 to 91.0 ± 6.03 (p< 0.001) .The FAAM mean score had improved from mean 55.21± 1.9 to 90.43 ± 4.02 Conclusion. The ankle ligament reconstruction with additional polyester tape augmentation is an effective technique in treating chronic ankle instability with a satisfactory surgical outcome.

Evaluation of Spin in the Clinical Literature of Suture Tape Augmentation for Ankle Instability

“…The most frequently cited category of spin was type 3 (“selective reporting or overemphasis on efficacy outcomes or analysis favoring the beneficial effect of the experimental intervention”) (6 of 19, 31.6%). Sarhan et al 31 presents an example of type 3 spin by claiming that “ankle ligament reconstruction with addition of polyester tape augmentation is an effective technique in treating chronic ankle instability with satisfactory surgical outcome” using only the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) and free online Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores in their analysis. Only the AOFAS score demonstrated a significant improvement compared to the preoperative scores, whereas the actually validated FAAM score change was insignificant.…”

Successful Return to Sport and Daily Activities After Suture Augmentation of Both the Anterior Talofibular Ligament and Calcaneofibular Ligament

“…found that polyester tape augmentation improved American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and FAAM median scores in patients with lateral ankle instability. 33 Xu et al. compared a modified Broström repair with and without augmentation using suture tape and found that patients with suture tape augmentation had significantly improved total outcome scores compared to the group without suture tape augmentation.…”

Suture Tape Augmentation in Lateral Ankle Ligament Surgery: Current Concepts Review

“…Open Brostro ¨m repair with suture tape augmentation (BR-ST) 13,17,22,23,26,49,51,52,65,70,85 Modified or traditional open Brostro ¨m repair with knotless suture anchors augmented with nonabsorbable polyethylene/polyester suture tape used as secondary stabilizer to ATFL Ligament augmentation reconstruction system (LARS) 63,64 Synthetic ligament with ATFL and CFL limbs placed in extra-articular location to augment primary repair of LCL complex Arthroscopic Brostro ¨m repair with suture tape augmentation (ABR-ST) 24,79,88 Modified or traditional arthroscopic Brostro ¨m repair with knotless suture anchors augmented with non-absorbable polyethylene/polyester suture tape used as secondary stabilizer to ATFL Suture tape augmentation only (STO) 12,15,16,76 Percutaneous or minimally invasive approach to reinforce ATFL and/or CFL without concomitant Brostro ¨m repair Abbreviations: ATFL, anterior talofibular ligament; CFL, calcaneofibular ligament; LCL, lateral collateral ligament.…”