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 chronic lateral ankle instability using the modified Brostr(o)m technique.Methods From May 2009 to May 2011,we admitted 16 patients with ankle sprain of degree Ⅲ who had had little improvement after conservative treatment for more than 6 months and deteriorated into chronic lateral ankle instability.They were 7 men and 9 women,aged from 19 to 31 years (average,23.6 years).They all had mild swelling,pain and instability at the lateral ankle.We treated them with suture anchors using the modified Brostr(o)m technique.The pre-and post-operative ankle functions were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) scores.The patients' subjective feeling after operation was evaluated by the Good grading system.Results The patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months (average,16 months).The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score improved significantly from preoperative 65.00 ± 6.65 points to postoperative 92.06 ± 3.13 points,the talar antedisplacement from preoperative 11.38 ±2.23 mm to postoperative 3.19 ± 1.1 mm,and the talar tilt angle from preoperative 13.44° ± 2.25° to postoperative 4.69° ± 1.35° (P ＜ 0.05).By the Good grading system for postoperative symptoms,there were 8 cases of grade Ⅰ,6 cases of grade Ⅱ,2 cases of grade Ⅲ and no case of grade Ⅳ,giving a good to excellent rate of 87.5％.Conclusion Suture anchors and modified Brostr(o)m technique is a reasonable and effective surgical method for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. Key words: Sports medicine;  Bone nails;  Lateral ligament, ankle