Arthroscopic Brostrom technique

Abstract

Objective: To present the clinical and functional results of surgical treatment of patients with chronic instability of the ankle using the arthroscopic Brostrom technique. Methods: This is a case series of patients who underwent surgical treatment for chronic instability of the lateral ligament of the ankle using the arthroscopic Brostrom technique. Clinical assessments of ankle stability were performed preoperatively and at the last follow-up using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and the anterior drawer and talar inversion tilt tests. Surgical complications and patient satisfaction ratings were also analyzed. Results: A total of 16 patients were analyzed, with a mean follow-up of 14 months. There was a statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement in mean AOFAS, which increased from 67.2 to 90.8 points and the mean VAS for pain score reduced from 6.5 to 1.5 points. All ankles were stable and had normal results for the anterior drawer test and the talar inversion tilt test. Three patients (19%) reported that resumption of sporting activities provoked subjective pain in the ankle, which improved progressively during follow-up. Two patients (12.5%) exhibited neurapraxia of the superficial peroneal nerve. A majority of the patients (81%) rated treatment as good or excellent. Conclusion: Treatment of chronic instability of the ankle ligament using the arthroscopic Brostrom technique restored ankle stability and achieved good clinical results. There was a high rate of early complications, but the majority were transitory and underwent complete remission during follow-up. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies; Case Series.