title: Arthroscopic repair of lateral ankle instability by using the thermal-assisted capsular shift procedure: a review of 4 cases.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the preliminary effectiveness of the thermal-assisted capsular shift procedure for treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability. A retrospective preoperative evaluation using a modified American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's ankle scoring system was performed on 4 patients treated with the procedure. Patients were then contacted for a 6-month follow-up evaluation using the same scale. The mean preoperative score was 26 of 60 and the mean postoperative score was 51 of 60, a mean 25-point improvement. All 4 rated their satisfaction with the surgery as good or excellent and 3 of 4 stated they would have the surgery again if necessary. The thermal-assisted capsular shift procedure showed good to excellent early results in this small study group and offers the foot and ankle surgeon a minimally invasive surgical alternative for treatment of lateral ankle ligament instability.
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Surgery, Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. cfhyer@wowway.com
authors.forename: Christopher F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Hyer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vancourt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome