Suture Anchors In Treatment Of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability Using Modified Brostr(o|¨)m Technique

Objective:To discuss the application of suture anchors in the treatment of chroniclateral ankle instability using the modified Brostr(o|¨)m technique.Methods:From May2009to May2011,we admitted16patients with ankle sprain of degree Ⅲ who had had littleimprovement after conservative treatment for more than6months and deteriorated intochronic lateral ankle instability. They were7men and9women, aged from19to31years(average,23.6years).They all had mild swelling, pain and instability at the lateralankle. We treated them with suture anchors using the modified Brostr(o|¨)m technique. ThePre-and post-operative ankle functions were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot andAnkle Society(AOFAS,American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society)scores.Thepatients’ subjective feeling after operation was evaluated by the Good grading system.Results:The patients were followed up for22to36months(average,28months).By theGood grading system for postoperative symptoms, there were8cases of grade Ⅰ,6casesof grade Ⅱ,2cases of grade Ⅲ and no case of grade Ⅳ,giving a good to excellent tateof87.5%. The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score improved significantly from preoperative65.00±6.65points to postoperative92.06±3.13points, the talar antedisplacement frompreoperative11.38±2.23mm to postoperative3.19±1.17mm,and the talar tilt angle frompreoperative13.44o±2.25oto postoperative4.69o±1.35o(P≤0.05).Conclusions:Sutureanchors and modified Brostr(o|¨)m technique is a reasonable and effective surgical methodfor the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability.