Proprioception and neuromuscular control at return to sport after ankle surgery with the modified Broström procedure

The modified Broström procedure (MBP) is an initial treatment for symptomatic chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients. This study aimed to compare the proprioception and neuromuscular control ability of both affected and unaffected ankles at the time of return to sports after MBP for patients with scores of normal controls. 75 individuals (40 who underwent MBP, 35 normal controls) participated. The dynamic balance test scores were significantly higher in the affected ankle of the patients than in the controls (1.5 ± 0.6° vs. 1.1 ± 0.4°, p < 0.003). The time to peak torque for dorsiflexion (60.8 ± 13.9 ms vs. 52.2 ± 17.5 ms, p < 0.022) and eversion (68.9 ± 19.1 ms vs. 59.3 ± 21.1 ms, p < 0.043) was significantly delayed in the affected ankle of the patients than in the controls. The dynamic balance test and time to peak torque in CAI patients remained significantly reduced at the time of return-to-sport after MBP. Clinicians and therapists should be aware of potential deficits in proprioception and neuromuscular control when determining the timing of return to sports after MBP.

The changes of joint-position sense, peroneal strength, postural control, and functional performance ability after the modified Broström procedure for chronic ankle instability

Purpose: Residual functional ankle instability regardless of the restoration of mechanical stability after the lateral ligament repair or reconstruction can cause recurrent sprain. The purpose of this study was to identify the sequential changes of joint-position sense, peroneal strength, postural control, and functional performance ability after the modified Broström procedure (MBP) for chronic ankle instability. Methods: A total of 46 patients (46 ankles) who underwent the MBP for chronic ankle instability were eligible for this study and were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. The changes of joint-position sense and peroneal strength were periodically evaluated with an isokinetic dynamometer. Postural control ability was evaluated using a one-leg stance test with eyes closed. The functional performance ability examination comprised a one-leg hop test, a six-meter hop test, and a cross three-meter hop test. Results: The error in joint-position sense significantly improved from a mean 4.3° to 2.8° ( p < 0.001). Peak torque for eversion significantly improved from a mean 18.2 Nm to 21.2 Nm ( p = 0.024). Balance retention time significantly improved from a mean 4.7 s to 6.4 s ( p < 0.001). Among the functional performance tests, only the one-leg hop test showed a significant improvement postoperatively ( p = 0.031). At 1 year postoperatively, the recovery ratios compared to the unaffected ankle were 67.9% in joint-position sense ( p < 0.001), 86.9% in peroneal strength ( p = 0.012), and 74.4% in postural control ( p < 0.001), with significant side-to-side differences. Conclusion: Although joint-position sense, peroneal strength, postural control, and functional performance ability were significantly improved after the MBP, recovery ratios compared to the unaffected ankle were insufficient up to 1 year postoperatively. Level of Evidence: Level IV (prospective case series)

A Retrospective Chart Review to Examine Failed Modified Brostrom Procedures for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Category: Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: Recurrent ankle injuries can lead to chronic ankle instability requiring surgical stabilization. Since the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the weakest of the lateral ankle ligaments, repair is often required in cases of chronic lateral ankle instability. Damage to the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) is less common than the ATFL, but additional repair of it in these cases may be necessary to avoid this recurrent instability. A modified Brostrom procedure has been a widely accepted surgical approach to chronic lateral ankle instability if conservative measures fail. However, cases of recurrent instability even after initial stabilization surgery can present. The purpose was to examine reasoning for and rate of revision surgeries attempting to fix chronic lateral ankle instability as it relates to the ATFL and CFL integrity. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess outcomes of a modified Brostrom procedure to determine underlying reasoning of the need for revision surgery by utilizing results of the anterior drawer and varus tilt tests. The files of these patients were examined via electronic health records to determine the reasoning for surgery. The preoperative and postoperative results of the anterior drawer test (ADT) and varus tilt test were used to examine ATFL and CFL integrity, respectively, in addition to operative notes. Results: 172 patients met criteria having undergone a modified Brostrom dual ligament repair procedure for lateral ankle instability by a single orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. With a 3.49% revision rate in the patient population, the only similarity found in all of the patients was the presence of a positive varus tilt test indicating the CFL was a major contributor of failed correction via the modified Brostrom procedure. One patient had a positive ADT, and one had a mildly positive ADT. These ADT and varus tests were performed at various time points in the care of the patients. The average length between surgeries was calculated to be 624.2 days. This revision rate is higher than past studies but was limited to a few years under examination. Conclusion: In conclusion, the anterior drawer and varus tilt tests are utilized to determine the integrity of the ATFL and CFL in the lateral ankle ligament complex. In failed modified Brostrom procedures examined, the positive result was consistently in the varus tilt test, indicating that the CFL is the ligament most affected in these patients requiring additional surgery. However, these physical exam tests are only one way to examine the ankle and do not take additional pathologies of the lateral ankle into account. Additional studies are needed to examine long-term outcomes of the modified Brostrom procedure and reasoning for failure.

Obesity as a Risk Factor for Failure following a Modified Brostrom Procedure

Category: Ankle; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: The modified Brostrom procedure has been widely accepted as the operative treatment of choice for treating lateral ankle instability in patients that have failed nonoperative management. However, the predisposing risk factors for failure of operative treatment, which has important implications for patient selection, is unknown. Foot and ankle surgeons often raise body mass index (BMI) as a particular concern due to the increased pressure and strain that is applied to the repair with standing and walking in the setting of an elevated BMI. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of patient BMI at the time of surgical intervention on preoperative and long-term postoperative functional outcomes, as well as complication and reoperation rates. Methods: A retrospective single institutional study of 160 modified Brostrom procedures, average age 43.8 years, was performed with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. An electronic query based on Current Procedural Terminology codes was initially performed followed by a manual review of the operative report. Patients with any concurrent osteotomy, arthrodesis, or arthroplasty procedures were excluded. Pre- and postoperative Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) ADL and Sports survey responses along with Visual Analog Scale for Pain (0-100) patient reports were recorded. Comorbidities and relevant demographic information were manually obtained. Patients were split into two groups based on their preoperative BMI: those patients with BMI <30 and those >=30 (considered obese). Treatment success was defined as achieving the previously established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) FAAM-ADL increase of >=8 and/or FAAM-Sport increase of >=9 from the preoperative to postoperative period. Results: Of 97 patients with BMI <30, 22 (22.7%) did not demonstrate a self-reported MCID in the FAAM-ADL score, and 20 (20.6%) did not demonstrate positive MCID in the FAAM-Sport score. For the 63 patients with BMI >=30, 13 (20.6%) failed to reach FAAM-ADL MCID, while 12 (19%) failed to reach FAAM-Sport MCID. BMI was not shown to be significant in terms of clinical improvement following surgery, as both groups improved significantly on average from preoperative period to follow-up with 125/160 (78.1%) achieving MCID in FAAM-ADL and 128/160 (80%) achieving MCID in FAAM-Sport. However, patients with BMI <30 had significantly higher average preoperative FAAM-ADL scores than those >=30 (66.7 vs 51.2; p=0.003) and higher average postoperative ADL scores that approached significance (92.9 vs 84.5; p=0.075). Conclusion: The modified Brostrom procedure has been previously shown to effectively improve stability and function of the ankle with relatively high rates of success, and such findings are supported by this study. In addition, this study demonstrates that patient BMI is not a prohibitive factor in limiting clinical success in the postoperative period. The procedure was generally effective for both groups of patients. However, data suggests that the condition of lateral ankle instability may simply be more debilitating for those patients with obese BMI, and that these patients should have lower expectations in terms of their absolute recovery of function. [Table: see text]

Chronic lateral ankle instability: Results of two-staged approach, correlation with magnetic resonance imaging findings, and incidence of associated pathologies – A 4-year follow-up study

Objectives: About 20% of ankle sprains have persistent symptoms even after 6 weeks–3 months of conservative treatment of physiotherapy and bracing. We followed a two-staged operative treatment protocol for the management of patients with persistent chronic lateral ankle instability. This study aims to analyze the outcomes of this two-staged treatment protocol and also to compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopic findings in such patients and note the presence of associated pathologies. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 87 patients operated for chronic lateral ankle instability in two stages: (1) Diagnostic examination under anesthesia and ankle arthroscopy and (2) modified Brostrom procedure. Results: With a mean follow-up of 4 years, 31% of the patients had a complete resolution of their symptoms 4 months after the first procedure. Mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores show a significant improvement in functional outcomes in both the groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the MRI findings were equivocal or false negative in 60% of the patients. We also observed associated pathologies such as synovitis, osteochondral defect of talus, and anterolateral impingement in 40% of the patients. Conclusion: The two-staged treatment of ankle arthroscopy and modified Brostrom procedure is highly effective in resolution of the symptoms of patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. As MRI is not very sensitive and because of the associated intra-articular lesions found in this spectrum of patients, a primary ankle arthroscopy followed by a staged Brostrom procedure has shown to improve outcomes significantly with optimal intervention.

Proprioception and neuromuscular control after the modified Broström procedure at the timing of a return to sports: A retrospective study

Background: The modified Broström procedure (MBP) is an initial treatment in symptomatic chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients. However, there was a deficiency of studies regarding the recovery of proprioception and neuromuscular control at the timing of a return to sports after MBP. This study aimed to compare the proprioception and neuromuscular control of both affected and unaffected ankles at the timing of a return to sports after MBP in CAI patients with those of normal controls. Methods: Totally, 75 patients (40 who underwent MBP vs. 35 normal controls) participated. Proprioception and neuromuscular control were measured by postural stability and time to peak torque, respectively. Postural stability tests included static and dynamic balance and the star excursion balance test (SEBT). Static and dynamic balance were tested using a postural stabilometry system, and time to peak torque was measured using an isokinetic device. Results: The dynamic balance test was significantly higher in the affected ankle of the MBP group than in controls (1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4, p < 0.003). SEBT was significantly lower in the affected ankle of the MBP group compared to controls (anterior: 70.9±16.4 vs. 80.3±11.7, p < 0.006; posterior: 49.2 ± 10.0 vs. 62.2 ± 19.0, p < 0.000; lateral: 49.9 ± 12.7 vs. 57.3 ± 17.7, p < 0.040). Time to peak torque was significantly increased in the affected ankle of the MBP group compared to controls (dorsiflexion: 608.3 ± 139.4 vs.522.9 ± 175.8, p < 0.022; eversion: 689.1 ± 191.6 vs. 593.1 ± 211.2, p < 0.043). Conclusion: Dynamic balance, SEBT, and time to peak torque in CAI patients remained significantly reduced at the timing of a return to sports after MBP. Keywords : Proprioception; Neuromuscular control; Modified Broström procedure; Postural stability; Star excursion balance test

Outcomes Following a Modified Broström Procedure and Arthroscopic Debridement of Medial Gutter Osteoarthritis Combined With Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: There is limited information regarding the outcomes of operative treatment for ankle instability with coexisting arthritic changes in the medial gutter. This study was performed to evaluate the intermediate-term clinical and radiological outcomes following a modified Broström procedure and arthroscopic debridement in middle-aged patients with combined medial gutter osteoarthritis and chronic lateral ankle instability. Methods: Twenty-four patients with medial gutter osteoarthritis related to chronic lateral ankle instability were followed for more than 3 years after operative treatment. All patients showed medial joint space narrowing of Takakura stage II at the time of surgery. The clinical evaluation consisted of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analog scale (VAS) for medial ankle pain during walking, and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Results: Mean AOFAS and FAAM scores significantly improved from 51.2 and 45.7 points preoperatively to 80.3 and 78.4 points at final follow-up, respectively (P < .001). Although mean pain-VAS significantly improved from 6.8 points to 3.1 points (P < .001), 5 patients (20.8%) complained of gait discomfort with considerable pain of 4 or more points. There was only 1 patient (4.2%) with recurrent ankle instability, while 6 patients (25%) showed a progression of arthritis stage. Conclusion: Modified Broström procedure combined with arthroscopic debridement appears to be an effective operative option for medial gutter osteoarthritis secondary to chronic ankle instability. Despite the onset of arthritis, most patients were able to achieve significant improvement in reducing pain while eliminating instability.