Arthroscopic Remnant-Preserving Anterior Talofibular Ligament Reconstruction does not Improve the Short-term Function of Ankle
Abstract Background Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction is a valid treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of preserving and not preserving remnant in ATFL reconstruction, as well as the clinical efficacy.Methods From January 2015 to July 2017, fifty-three admitted remnant-preserving CLAI patients with ATFL injury were prospectively randomized as remnant-preserving group (preservation of ATFL) and non-preserving group (no preservation of ATFL). All patients received anatomic reconstruction of ATFL using the semitendinosus tendon autograft. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Karlsson Ankle Functional Score (KAFS), Anterior Talar Translation (ATT), and ankle proprioceptive recovery in both groups were compared.Results All patients were followed up for at least 2 years, and difference in the follow-up time between two groups was not statistically significant. Differences in VAS, AOFAS, KAFS, ATT and ankle proprioceptive recovery between two groups were not statistically significant.Conclusions Compared with non-remnant-preserving surgery, there are no short-term follow-up differences in postoperative ankle function, stability and proprioceptive recovery when semitendinosus tendon autograft is used to treat CLAI through remnant-preserving ATFL reconstruction.Level of Evidence: Level III, a prospective comparative study.Trial registration: Xuzhou Central Hospital, ZXYY-2015090. Registered 21 November 2014