Background: Although several arthroscopic surgical techniques for the treatment of chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been introduced recently, the effect of inferior extensor retinaculum (IER) augmentation remains unclear. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair according to whether additional IER augmentation was performed or not. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic ATFL repair surgery for CAI between 2016 and 2018. The mean age of the patients was 35.2 years (range, 19-51 years), and the mean follow-up period was 32.6 months (range, 24-48 months). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical technique used for CAI: arthroscopic ATFL repair (group A; n = 37) and arthroscopic ATFL repair with additional IER augmentation (group R; n = 45). The pain visual analog scale, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, and the Karlsson Ankle Function Score were measured as subjective outcomes, and posturographic analysis was performed using a Tetrax device as an objective outcome. Radiologic outcome evaluations were performed preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively using stress radiographs and axial view magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Out of 101 patients, 19 (18.5%) were excluded per the exclusion criteria, and 82 were evaluated. We identified 6 retears (7.3%) based on postoperative MRI evaluation. All patients who had ATFL retear on MRI (8.1% [3/37] in group A and 6.7% [3/45] in group R) demonstrated recurrent CAI with functional discomfort and anterior displacement >3 mm as compared with the intact contralateral ankle. All clinical scores and posturography results were improved after surgery in both groups ( P < .001). However, there were no significant differences in the clinical results and radiologic findings between the groups. Conclusion: The clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients with CAI improved after all-inside arthroscopic ATFL repair. However, additional IER augmentation after arthroscopic ATFL repair did not guarantee better clinical outcomes.

Background: In patients with chronic ankle instability, it is important to repair the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) at the anatomic origin site. However, there are limited reports on the clinical outcomes according to anatomic ATFL repair. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes after arthroscopic ATFL repair according to whether the anchor is fixed at an anatomic position. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic ATFL repair for chronic ankle instability and were available for a minimum 2-year follow-up. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the anchor position at the distal fibula on 3-dimensional computed tomography: anatomic arthroscopic ATFL repair (anatomic group), subanatomic arthroscopic ATFL repair (subanatomic group), and nonanatomic arthroscopic ATFL repair (nonanatomic group). The visual analog scale for pain, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Karlsson ankle functional score were measured as subjective outcomes. Posturographic analysis and radiologic evaluation using stress radiographs and axial view magnetic resonance imaging were performed as objective outcomes. Results: Of 96 patients, 16 were excluded per the exclusion criteria, and 80 were evaluated (anatomic group, n = 24; subanatomic group, n = 42; nonanatomic group, n = 14). The mean age of the patients was 34.5 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27.4 months. A between-group comparison revealed significant differences in FAOS, Karlsson score, and fall risk evaluated by posturography at the final follow-up. Post hoc analysis revealed that the anatomic group had better clinical scores on the FAOS than did the nonanatomic group in all 5 domains (all P < .017). Patients in the anatomic and subanatomic groups had better Karlsson scores and fall risk than those in the nonanatomic group ( P = .004 and P = .013, respectively). In terms of objective outcomes, patients in the anatomic and subanatomic groups had better outcomes in fall risk than did those in the nonanatomic group (both P = .001). There were no differences in clinical scores and objective outcomes between the anatomic and subanatomic groups. Conclusion: Nonanatomic ATFL repair showed inferior outcomes when compared with anatomic ATFL repair. When arthroscopic ATFL repair is performed, the anchor should be fixed in the anatomic position to improve prognosis.

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In recent years, arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair techniques have been increasingly used for chronic ankle instability. Besides permitting the treatment of several comorbidities, arthroscopic techniques are applied to minimize the need for aggressive surgery and improve the assessment of anatomic structures. We describe our surgical technique for all-arthroscopic anatomic ATFL repair using a knotless anchor, which can adjust suture tension under direct visualization using a self-locking mechanism. Thus, this technique diminishes the chance of repaired ligament separation from its attachment by obtaining the desired tension. Moreover, its knotless property allows the avoidance of some complications such as neuritis and pain related to bulky knots.

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