Clinical Outcomes and Return to Sport After Minimally Invasive Reconstruction of the Lateral Ligament Complex with Semitendinosus Tendon Autograft in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

<p>Background: Ankle sprains are common, affecting especially the lateral ligament complex of the ankle, often leading to chronic symptoms and instability. Many procedures have been described for chronic ankle instability. This study analyses clinical outcomes and returns to sport in patients who underwent minimally invasive reconstruction of the lateral ligaments complex of the ankle with a semitendinosus tendon autograft.</p><p>Methods: Twenty-three patients (mean age: 33.9 years) with grade 3 lesion of both anterior-talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular (CFL) ligaments, underwent minimally invasive reconstruction of the ATFL and CFL ligaments with an ipsilateral semitendinosus tendon autograft. They were retrospectively reviewed and return to sport was evaluated with the Halasi ankle activity scale.</p><p>Results: The mean follow-up was 30 months (range 26-53 months). The mean AOFAS score increased from 68.6 to 95.3 point. The average VAS decreased from 3.6 to 1.3. The Halasi score changed from 5.0 to 5.1. Excepts for Halasi, the differences were statistically significant (p &lt;0.001).19 patients judged the received treatment as excellent, 2 as good. No revision procedures were performed. No major complications were reported.</p> <p>Conclusions: This study confirms good clinical and sports outcomes following minimally invasive reconstruction of the lateral ligaments complex of the ankle with a semitendinosus autograft.</p>