Outcome of the modified Brostrom procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability using suture anchors

The modified Brostrom procedure is an anatomic reconstruction of the latera l ankle ligaments. The present study evaluated twenty-two patients (mean ag e = 27.2 years) with chronic lateral ankle instability who underwent surgic al repair of their lateral ankle ligaments using suture anchors as part of the modified Brostrom procedure. Ail surgeries were performed by the senior author (AK) on an outpatient basis. At a mean follow-up of 34.5 months (mi nimum of 18 months), twenty patients (91%) reported a good or excellent fun ctional outcome as assessed by the Karlsson and Peterson ankle function sco ring scale.(21) One patient developed a superficial wound infection post-op eratively that was eradicated with a course of oral antibiotics. Sixteen of the twenty-two patients were available for follow-up physical examination and stress radiographs. Fourteen of the sixteen patients had no evidence of instability on physical examination or on stress radiographs. One patient had diminished sensation in the superficial peroneal nerve distribution. Fi ve of the sixteen patients had generalized ligamentous laxity; none of thes e patients had an excellent result, and they had lower "Overall Satisfactio n" scores (P = 0.013). We conclude that the use of suture anchors is a simp le and effective adaptation of the modified Brostrom procedure, which resul ts in a good or excellent outcome in the majority of patients with few comp lications.