Concomitant injuries in chronic ankle instability

Abstract

Chronic ankle instability is associated with a number of coincident injuries about the ankle joint. Improvements in ankle arthroscopy and preoperative imaging modalities have aided in the identification and treatment of these lesions. Although their clinical significance may be variable, the presence of concomitant lesions in chronic ankle instability predisposes patients to chronic pain and osteoarthritis. A comprehensive review of the literature reveals that a multitude of studies have described associated lesions in patients with chronic ankle instability. These lesions include peroneal tendon injuries, chondral and osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond and talar dome, intraarticular loose bodies, anterior/anterolateral ankle soft tissue impingement, lateral malleolus ossicles, tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries, and peroneal nerve injuries. This review serves as a comprehensive analysis of the literature, focusing on identification, treatment, and long-term outcomes of concomitant injuries in chronic ankle instability.