UNASSIGNED: Vancomycin soaking of the graft during arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been shown to be effective in reducing the rate of postoperative infection.
UNASSIGNED: The present study aimed to (1) analyze the effect of vancomycin-soaked grafts during arthroscopic anatomic reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) on the incidence of infection and (2) evaluate the influence of infection on functional outcomes and identify the risk factors of infection. It was hypothesized that vancomycin soaking of the graft would reduce the postoperative infection rate.
UNASSIGNED: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
UNASSIGNED: Consecutive patients at 2 centers who underwent ATFL/CFL reconstruction between December 2011 and July 2022 were included. All patients had undergone anterolateral arthroscopic debridement of the ankle and anatomic ATFL/CFL reconstruction with a gracilis tendon autograft. Vancomycin soaking of the graft was begun in both centers in January 2021. Complications, functional scores, return to sports (RTS) rates, and the level of return were compared between patients with and without vancomycin-soaked grafts and between patients with and without infection.
UNASSIGNED: Overall, 182 patients (48% men; mean age, 34 ± 11.9 years) were included, with a mean follow-up of 23 ± 16.1 months. The rate of postoperative infection was significantly lower in the group with vancomycin soaking versus without (0/92 [0%] vs 8/90 [8.9%]; P = .001). At the final follow-up, there were 26 complications (14.3%): 8 infections, 6 recurrent tears, and 12 peripheral neuropathies. The infections developed after a mean of 17 ± 11 days. The functional scores were excellent at the final follow-up (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society [AOFAS] Ankle-Hindfoot Score, 86.5 ± 18.7; Karlsson score, 85 ± 18.3). Patients with infection had significantly decreased AOFAS scores (52.8 ± 27.6 vs 83.3 ± 21.5; P = .003), Karlsson scores (57 ± 27.7 vs 83.6 ± 20; P = .006), and RTS rates (25% vs 77%; P = .005) versus patients without infection.
UNASSIGNED: Vancomycin-soaked grafts for arthroscopic anatomic ATFL/CFL reconstruction decreased the rate of postoperative infection. Infection led to a deterioration in results. Vancomycin-soaking of the graft did not have a negative effect on functional results.

UNASSIGNED: In recent years, arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament repair has become increasingly popular. However, reports on the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic ankle stabilization for skeletally immature patients remain scarce. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ankle ligaments repair in skeletally immature patients compared to skeletally mature patients.
UNASSIGNED: Our retrospective analysis compared skeletally immature patients and skeletally mature adults who underwent arthroscopic repair of the ankle lateral ligaments with a modified lasso-loop stitch using a suture anchor. Skeletal immaturity was defined as patients whose epiphyseal line of the distal fibula remained open on plain radiography. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q) at 2 years after surgery. The time to postoperative walking, jogging, and return to full sports activities were also evaluated.
UNASSIGNED: Sixty-four skeletally immature patients (IM group) and 103 skeletally mature adults (M group) were included. No significant differences were observed during both walking and jogging after surgery between the groups; however, return to full athletic activities was significantly earlier in IM group (P = .05). The mean scores in all SAFE-Q subscales significantly improved in both groups after surgery (P < .001). There were also no statistically significant differences between the groups in the mean postoperative SAFE-Q scores for all subscales. All patients in the IM group returned to playing sports at their preinjury levels postoperatively.
UNASSIGNED: We found that skeletally immature patients with chronic lateral ankle instability had generally similar responses to arthroscopic lateral ankle as skeletally mature adult patients at minimally 2 years\' follow-up with a high rate of successful return to sport.
UNASSIGNED: Level III, retrospective case control study.

Ankle sprains are exceedingly common injuries in both athletes and the general population. They account for 10 to 30% of all sports injuries. Although the vast majority of lateral ankle ligament injuries respond successfully to conservative management, the absolute number of those that progress to chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) remains considerably important. This condition is characterized by persistent symptoms and may be associated with short-term and long-term complications and functional deficits. There is still a lack of ideal postoperative management of CLAI patients. Furthermore, an evidence-based rehabilitation phasing does not exist and most of the published studies regarding this subject suggest some protocols based on a wide variety of functional assessment scores and other modalities that are not accurate enough. Moreover, the literature that assesses the ability to return to work (RTW) and return to sport (RTS) in the general population and athletes operated for CLAI most commonly shows aggregated results with global rates of RTW or RTS without describing a detailed timeline based on the readiness of patients to return to each level of activity. Although stress radiographs and MRI have been assessed as potential tools to improve postoperative management of CLAI patients, the first modality is limited by its low sensitivity to detect laxity and the second one by its static character and its inability to predict neither the healing process phase nor the mechanical properties of the repaired/reconstructed ligaments. Bioelectrical impedance, mechanical impedance and near-infrared spectroscopy are non-invasive methods of measurement that could be potential assessment tools to help surgeons improve the postoperative management of patients after CLAI surgery.

BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle sprains are the most common type of injury to the ankle and can lead to ankle instability. There are many described techniques for the surgical treatment of lateral ankle instability. The purpose of this study is to quantify the variation in surgeon technique for lateral ankle instability treatment.
METHODS: Surveys were sent to 62 orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons regarding surgical technique for the treatment of lateral ankle instability. Clinical agreement was defined as greater than 80% agreement to assess the cohesiveness of surgical methods as described by Marx et al. Results. Response rate was 49/62 (79%). There was clinical agreement for not using bone tunnels and not using metal anchors. All other factors lacked clinical agreement. A greater average number of throws and knots (4.2 for each, range 1-6 throws, range 2-12 knots) were used by surgeons that do not believe knots cause pain compared to an average of 3.9 (range, 1-6) throws and 4.0 (range, 2-15) knots by surgeons who do believe knots cause pain. The association that surgeon who believed knots do cause pain and thus used fewer knots and throws was not statistically significant (P > .05). The preferred material by surgeons in our study are as follows: nonabsorbable braided suture (26/49, 53%), suture tape (15/49, 31%), and fiber tape (4/49, 8%). Among surgeons who use absorbable suture (34/49, 69%), there was no significant difference (P > .05) between surgeons who believe knots cause pain (23/34, 68%) and those who do not (11/34, 32%).
CONCLUSIONS: Among this small sample of orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons, there is wide variation in surgical technique for lateral ankle instability treatment and little agreement on the clinical standard of care. This disagreement highlights the need for comparative outcome studies in the treatment of ankle instability.
METHODS: Level III: Retrospective cohort study.

The goal of our study is to compare the stability of the anatomic reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) with direct repair of the ATFL, in a cadaver model. We performed the following techniques in 18 cadaveric ankles: the intact ATFL was cut, after which a direct repair using 2 anchors was performed. The repair was sectioned, and anatomic reconstruction was then performed with a tendon autograft. We measured angular displacement in 3 anatomic planes (axial, coronal, sagittal) for each situation in response to the anterior drawer test (ADT), talar tilt test (TTT) and pivot test (PT), using a specifically constructed arthrometer. The sectioned ATFL was inferior to the intact ATFL in the axial plane with the ADT (p = .012), in the axial plane with the PT (p = .001) and in the axial and coronal planes with the TTT (p = .013 and p = .016, respectively). Direct anatomic repair was inferior to the intact ATFL in the axial plane upon the PT (p = .009). No differences could be found between anatomic graft reconstructions and the intact ATFL with any manoeuver, nor when comparing anatomic graft reconstruction and direct repair with 2 anchors. We were able to conclude that anatomic graft reconstruction of the ATFL reproduces angular stability of the native ligament in a cadaver model. While we could not detect if anatomic graft reconstruction was superior to direct repair, the latter proved to be less stable in the axial plane upon internal rotation (pivot test) versus the intact ATFL.

Lateral ankle instability is one of the most common problems seen in the orthopaedic setting. Proper diagnosis is essential in order to provide the ideal treatment for these patients. All patients are subjected to nonoperative management in the form of functional rehabilitation. For those, however, who did not respond well to therapy, surgical treatment is then recommended. There are several surgical techniques available which have been meticulously studied and discussed in previous articles. The focus of this paper is on the author\'s perspective on choosing the surgical technique based on the quality of the anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament remnants. All patients are subjected to a diagnostic arthroscopy, where the remnant is assessed. The procedure then of doing an all-arthroscopic, open Modified Brostrom or anatomic reconstruction is then chosen based on this initial assessment.

UNASSIGNED: Lateral ankle ligament reconstruction failures are increasingly frequent. To our knowledge no reports of using a new arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction with a gracilis autograft to treat an ankle re-injury have been described.
METHODS: A 19-year-old man presented with a right ankle injury resulting in isolated lateral ankle instability. The clinical examination showed significant laxity. The MRI confirmed a grade 3 tear of the lateral ligament complex. Arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction with a gracilis autograft was performed and the patient was able to return to all of his activities. Eighteen months after the primary reconstruction, he had another high-energy injury. Despite rehabilitation, he experienced isolated lateral instability. Arthrography confirmed graft failure. The patient underwent a new anatomical reconstruction with the controlateral gracilis autograft, with no difficulties. At 6 months, he had returned to all of his activities, with no limitations or discomfort.
UNASSIGNED: Articular hypermobility, hindfoot varus and/or excess weight should be looked for or treated to explain the graft failure. Other therapeutic options are possible for revision surgery such as non-anatomical tenodesis, allografts or artificial ligaments.
CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle with a new arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction procedure seems to be feasible. Other studies are needed to define the therapeutic strategy for ligament reconstruction graft failures.

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the first to be damaged during a lateral ankle sprain. Dynamic and static structures have been investigated to better understand ATFL rupture, but the predisposing factors have not been fully elucidated. This study aims to define the fibular notch version that can evaluate the position of the fibular notch relative to the tibia and investigate the relationship between the fibular notch version (FNV) and ATFL rupture. This study included 71 patients with isolated ATFL rupture diagnosed clinically and radiologically and 71 control patients without any foot or ankle pathologies. Anterior facet length (AFL), posterior facet length (PFL), anterior-posterior facet angle (APFA), fibular notch depth (ND), and FNV measurements were performed on axial magnetic resonance images (MRI). We defined FNV as a parameter that evaluates the fibular notch\'s relative position to the distal tibia. The mean FNV was 16.6° ± 4.9° in patients with ATFL rupture and 12.4° ± 5.6° in the control group; when both groups were compared, FNV measurements were significantly higher in patients with ATFL rupture (p = .002). The mean APFA was 123.9° ± 10° in the group with ATFL rupture and 129.7° ± 7.8° in the control group. When both groups were compared, APFA was significantly lower in patients with ATFL rupture (p = .014). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding AFL, PFL, and ND. A more posterior (retroverted) fibular notch and a lower fibular notch angle seem to be associated with higher rates of ATFL rupture.

Lateral ankle instability (LAI) compromises the normal kinematics of the ankle, affecting activities of daily living. In vitro kinematics of ankles with LAI during single-plane motions are available, but the active control stability of these motions remains unclear. The current study measured the 3D ankle kinematics during unresisted single-plane motion tests using a bi-plane fluoroscope with a CT model-based 2D/3D registration method in 12 patients with LAI and 14 healthy peers. The coupling of the kinematic components at the talocrural and subtalar joints was quantified by the path difference between the forward and return paths of the coupled motion. Significantly increased path differences were found in the subtalar dorsiflexion/plantarflexion and inversion/eversion components during internal/external rotation tests (p < 0.05). During inversion/eversion, significantly reduced tibiocalcaneal ranges of motion and the path differences in the talocrural and subtalar dorsiflexion/plantarflexion components were noted (p < 0.05). The current results suggest that chronic LAI had compromised control stability at the subtalar joint during internal/external rotation tests and a conservative motion control strategy with significantly reduced ranges of motion to maintain good control of out-of-plane motion components in response to direct challenges of the anterior talofibular ligament during inversion/eversion tests. The current results also suggest that, compared to kinematic patterns of individual components, the path difference of the coupled motion may serve as a better measure of the motion control stability of the ankle in differentiating LAI from healthy controls.

Arthroscopic surgery for treating ankle instability is increasingly popular. Several studies showed similar functional outcomes to those seen after open surgery, with no increase in complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the return-to-sports (RTS) rate and time after arthroscopic surgery to treat chronic lateral ankle instability.
The rate and time of RTS are satisfactory after arthroscopic surgery to treat chronic lateral ankle instability.
This single-centre retrospective study included patients managed arthroscopically for chronic lateral ankle instability, with no other procedures, between February 2014 and May 2017. We evaluated the time and rate of RTS, as well as factors associated with RTS such as motivation, athletic level before surgery and whether the injury was work-related. Follow-up was at least 1 year.
Of the 40 included patients, 30 (75%) returned to their main sport, after a median of 6 months. Moreover, 22 (55%) patients resumed their main sport at the same or a higher level within 12 months after surgery, their median postoperative follow-up being 29 months (range, 13-61). The AOFAS score improved significantly, from 67 (30-90) before surgery to 88.5 (39-100) at last follow-up (p<0.001). The numerical pain score decreased significantly between these two timepoints, from 6 (0-10) to 1 (0-10) (p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, a high level of motivation before surgery was the main factor significantly associated with RTS at the same or a higher level within 12 months after surgery (odds ratio, 16.47; 95%CI, 3.33-81.20; p=0.007). Persistent pain was more common in patients with work-related injuries (p=0.016).
At 12 months, the RTS rate was 75% overall, with 55% of patients returning to the same or a higher level. Median time to RTS was 6 months (4-8). Both the rate of and the time to RTS were independently associated with greater preoperative motivation.
IV, retrospective observational cohort study.