TENODESIS VERSUS CARBON-FIBER REPAIR OF ANKLE LIGAMENTS - A CLINICAL COMPARISON

To compare the clinical and functional outcomes after using different reconstruction methods for chronic ankle instability, the authors foll owed 2 groups of patients after 69 and 72 months, respectively, Thirty patients (mean age, 28; range, 23-39 years) were treated with modifie d Evans tenodesis, Twenty-three patients (mean age, 32.2; range, 22-39 years) underwent total replacement of the lateral ankle ligaments by carbon fibers, The protocol of the retrospective study included a ques tionnaire, clinical examination, radiographic stress diagnostics, and gait analysis with use of the EMED-SF system, Dorsiflexion and inversi on were significantly restricted after tenodesis in contrast to the ca rbon fiber replacement, Although radiographic stability was improved a fter surgery for both groups, progress of the arthrosis could not be s topped, After tenodesis, the measurement of plantar pressure distribut ion revealed a 20% increase of midfoot loading as compared with the op posite foot, whereas symmetrical loading of both feet was found after carbon fiber replacement, Additionally, the tenodesis feet had a signi ficantly increased loading of the medial side of the foot, It was conc luded that tenodesis and anatomic reconstruction of ankle ligaments le ad to subjectively similar results, Foot function and range of motion, however, were less influenced after anatomic repair.