Peter G. Mangone

Consensus in chronic ankle instability: Aetiology, assessment, surgical indications and place for arthroscopy

Ankle sprains are the most common injuries sustained during sports activities. Most ankle sprains recover fully with non-operative treatment but 20-30% develop chronic ankle instability. Predicting which patients who sustain an ankle sprain will develop instability is difficult. This paper summarises a consensus on identifying which patients may require surgery, the optimal surgical intervention along with treatment of concomitant pathology given the evidence available today. It also discusses the role of arthroscopic treatment and the anatomical basis for individual procedures.

Arthroscopic Suture Anchor Repair of the Lateral Ligament Ankle Complex A Cadaveric Study

Background: Operative treatment of mechanical ankle instability is indicated for patients with multiple sprains and continued episodes of instability. Open repair of the lateral ankle ligaments involves exposure of the attenuated ligaments and advancement back to their anatomic insertions on the fibula using bone tunnels or suture implants. Hypothesis: Open and arthroscopic fixation are equal in strength to failure for anatomic Broström repair. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Seven matched pairs of human cadaveric ankle specimens were randomized into 2 groups of anatomic Broström repair: open or arthroscopic. The calcaneofibular ligament and anterior talofibular ligament were excised from their origin on the fibula. In the open repair group, 2 suture anchors were used to reattach the ligaments to their anatomic origins. In the arthroscopic repair group, identical suture anchors were used for repair via an arthroscopic technique. The ligaments were cyclically loaded 20 times and then tested to failure. Torque to failure, degrees to failure, initial stiffness, and working stiffness were measured. A matched-pair analysis was performed. Power analysis of 0.8 demonstrated that 7 pairs needed to show a difference of 30%, with a 15% standard error at a significance level of α = .05. Results: There was no difference in the degrees to failure, torque to failure, or stiffness for the repaired ligament complex. Nine of 14 specimens failed at the suture anchor. Conclusion: There is no statistical difference in strength or stiffness of a traditional open repair as compared with an arthroscopic anatomic repair of the lateral ligaments of the ankle. Clinical Relevance: An arthroscopic technique can be considered for lateral ligament stabilization in patients with mild to moderate mechanical instability.

Arthroscopic Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction

The modified Brostrom repair is currently the method of choice for the primary operative treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. Before 2007, the investigators used the traditional open approach with or without the use of suture anchors. This study describes our current technique for arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction, which has been continuously refined over the past several years. We believe that this novel technique simplifies the ligament reconstruction procedure when performed with ankle arthroscopy, potentially reduces operative time, and will produce results equivalent to the long-term outcome of the traditional open Brostrom procedure. Since November 2007, twenty-three patients (24 ankles) have undergone arthroscopic lateral ligament repair. All patients had positive ankle instability with manual stress testing and failed nonoperative management. Initially, only one suture anchor was used for the technique and now all cases are performed with 2 anchors. After an average follow-up of 10.9 months, all patients reported significant improvement compared with their preoperative symptoms. Four patients were noted to a have mildly positive residual stress test despite no functional limitations. One patient had persistent peroneal tendon symptoms necessitating exploration and debridement; and 1 developed an unrelated neurological process. We describe our technique for arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction and preliminary results.

Classification and Treatment of Plantar Fibromatosis

A retrospective study of 18 patients (23 feet) with plantar fibromatosis who required surgical excision between January, 1991, and June, 1998, was performed. Subtotal plantar fasciectomy was performed to remove the tumor with a wide disease-free margin. 16 patients (21 feet) were interviewed and 14 patients (19 feet) were examined with an average followup of 36 months. Two patients (2 feet) with less than 12 months followup were excluded. Both subjective and objective evaluations and pre- and postoperative x-rays were reviewed to assess the alignment of the bony arch. There were nine males and nine females, age 49 years, average, at the time of diagnosis. Sixty-seven percent of patients had bilateral disease, and 28% had associated Dupuytrens contracture. There were 18 primary and five recurrent tumors. An operative staging system, I to IV, for plantar fibromatosis is presented which incorporates the extent of plantar fascia involvement, the presence of skin adherence, and the depth of tumor extension. The stage of the tumor correlated well with postoperative wound healing, skin necrosis, and recurrence. In fifteen of 21 feet, the patients were satisfied without reservations, and in three of 21 feet, they were satisfied with reservations. In 18/21 (86%) feet, the patient reported he/she would have surgery done again. There were two recurrent tumors. One was reoperated and the patient was disease free twelve months postoperatively. The other recurrence was asymptomatic 40 months postoperatively and required no treatment. One patient required an excision of a postoperative cutaneous neuroma. Eleven of 21 feet (52%) experienced delayed healing and of which four required a split thickness skin graft. Ten of the eleven feet with delayed wound healing and all four cases requiring a skin graft had a stage III or IV tumor. Pre- and postoperative weightbearing radiographs revealed a slight decrease in the calcaneal pitch angle, navicular height, and medial cuneiform height indicating a decrease in the height of the medial longitudinal arch.

Distal tibial osteotomies for the treatment of foot and ankle disorders.

Distal tibial osteotomy is an effective treatment for a variety of pediatric and adult foot and ankle disorders. Exposure osteotomies provide access to the tibiotalar joint for such problems as talar body fractures and osteochondral lesions of the talus. The channel osteotomy provides improved access to posterior talar dome lesions, especially for the use of osteochondral autograft. Although technically demanding, the supramalleolar osteotomy can benefit many patients, including patients with residual clubfoot deformity, primary and secondary osteoarthritis, malunion, and physeal arrest.

Arthroscopic brostrom technique.

Surgical strategy regarding chronic lateral ankle instability is undergoing an evolution from traditional open procedures to minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques. The development of arthroscopic techniques for the ankle mirrors the processes witnessed for the shoulder and knee over the last 30 years. The arthroscopic Brostrom is a novel technique that allows the surgeon to use an arthroscope to perform a lateral ankle ligament reconstruction that was previously thought possible only through open surgical technique. Indications and contraindications for the arthroscopic technique are essentially the same as those for an open Brostrom type of procedure. The arthroscopic Brostrom procedure is easy to remember and relatively simple to perform for the surgeon who has mastered basic ankle arthroscopy. The authors’ results discussed in this article reveal that the arthroscopic Brostrom is a safe and effective procedure with outcomes at least equal to published results for traditional open techniques. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.

Biomechanical Analysis of an Arthroscopic Broström Ankle Ligament Repair and a Suture Anchor–Augmented Repair

Background: Secondary surgical repair of ankle ligaments is often indicated in cases of chronic lateral ankle instability. Recently, arthroscopic Broström techniques have been described, but biomechanical information is limited. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the biomechanical properties of an arthroscopic Broström repair and augmented repair with a proximally placed suture anchor. It was hypothesized that the arthroscopic Broström repairs would compare favorably to open techniques and that augmentation would increase the mean repair strength at time zero. Methods: Twenty (10 matched pairs) fresh-frozen foot and ankle cadaveric specimens were obtained. After sectioning of the lateral ankle ligaments, an arthroscopic Broström procedure was performed on each ankle using two 3.0-mm suture anchors with #0 braided polyethylene/polyester multifilament sutures. One specimen from each pair was augmented with a 2.9-mm suture anchor placed 3 cm proximal to the inferior tip of the lateral malleolus. Repairs were isolated and positioned in 20 degrees of inversion and 10 degrees of plantarflexion and loaded to failure using a dynamic tensile testing machine. Maximum load (N), stiffness (N/mm), and displacement at maximum load (mm) were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences between standard arthroscopic repairs and the augmented repairs for mean maximum load and stiffness (154.4 ± 60.3 N, 9.8 ± 2.6 N/mm vs 194.2 ± 157.7 N, 10.5 ± 4.7 N/mm, P = .222, P = .685). Conclusions: Repair augmentation did not confer a significantly higher mean strength or stiffness at time zero. Clinical Relevance: Mean strength and stiffness for the arthroscopic Broström repair compared favorably with previous similarly tested open repair and reconstruction methods, validating the clinical feasibility of an arthroscopic repair. However, augmentation with an additional proximal suture anchor did not significantly strengthen the repair.

Percutaneous Ankle Reconstruction of Lateral Ligaments (Perc-Anti RoLL).

Summary Chronic ankle instability following ankle sprains causes pain and functional problems such as recurrent giving way. If non-operative treatments fail, then operative ankle stabilization may be required to improve pain and function. Operative options include both anatomic repair and reconstruction techniques. Anatomic repair techniques utilize pre-existing ligament remnants that are either reattached or tightened to improve stability of the ankle. If pre-existing ligament structures have been damaged beyond repair or are insufficient to allow repair, then it is appropriate to choose an anatomic reconstructive technique. These procedures have traditionally been performed using open techniques and have been successful in restoring function and decreasing pain. In 2005, an open anatomic reconstruction technique using a gracilis Y-graft and Inside-out technique was reported with good results. In the current paper we describe a Percutaneous Reconstruction of the Lateral Ligaments (Perc-Anti RoLL), which is a new minimally invasive surgical technique for anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligaments of the ankle that utilizes the anatomic Y-graft and Inside-out technique. The Perc-Anti RoLL technique can be performed percutaneously using fluoroscopic guidance.

Update on Lateral Ankle Instability

Hunt: The diagnosis of lateral ankle instability is typically arrived at by a careful history and physical examination. I do not routinely obtain stress radiographs, but I do perform stress fluoroscopy in clinic when confirmation of the diagnosis is necessary, and to differentiate between ankle and subtalar joint instability. Mangone: I evaluate lateral ankle instability with manual testing using the standard anterior drawer and tilt tests. I also will occasionally perform stress fluoroscopy in a patient whose subjective complaints are greater than their manual testing findings. I agree that fluoroscopic stress testing sometimes also helps identify subtalar instability if the ankle joint remains stable within the mortise. Miller et al (Foot and Ankle International, April 2016) published on increased sensitivity of the rotational instability versus anterior translational instability. How do you use this in your practice and does it change your management if someone demonstrates only rotational versus translational instability?

Arthroscopic Deltoid Ligament Repair: Technique and Anatomic Study

Category: Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: Background: Recent studies have underscored the importance of open repair of the deltoid ligament for rotational ankle instability in purely ligamentous injuries as well as with ankle fractures. With the advent of successfull arthroscopic lateral ligament techniques the authors have explored the use of similar arthroscopic techniques for deltoid repair. This study aimed to describe a novel arthroscopic technique for deltoid ligament repair and relate the proximity of anatomic structures at risk. Purpose: To evaluate the proximity of anatomic structures for a novel arthroscopic deltoid ligament stabilization technique and to define ideal landmarks and “safe zones” for this repair. Methods: Methods: Five human cadaveric ankle specimens were screened for the study. All specimens underwent arthroscopic deltoid ligament repair with a suture passer and suture anchor technique. Five cadaveric specimens were dissected to determine the proximity of anatomic structures after repair. Several distances were measured, including those of different anatomic structures to the suture knot to determine the “safe zones.” Measurements were obtained and statistical analysis was performed. Results: Results: None of the specimens revealed entrapment of the suture knots to the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) or saphenous nerve. The safe zone between the PTT and saphenous vein was a mean of 20 mm (range, 16-25 mm). On average, a 16 mm (range, 12-20 mm) safe distance was maintained from the suture knot to the PTT. The saphenous vein was in close proximity to the suture knot at a mean distance of 3 mm (range, 0-9 mm). Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a relatively wide safe zone between the PTT and the saphenous vein when performing the arthroscopic deltoid ligament stabilization technique. While none of the critical anatomic structures (except for saphenous vein) were entrapped by the suture knot, it was evident that the variable course of the saphenous vein renders it at risk for entrapment. This study further defines the proximity of adjacent anatomic structures and establishes the anatomic safe zones for the arthroscopic deltoid ankle stabilization procedure. By defining this relatively risk-free zone, surgeons less experienced with arthroscopic ligament repair techniques may approach arthroscopic suture passage with more confidence.