Long-term results of the Weber operation for chronic ankle instability: 37 patients followed for 20-30 years.
BACKGROUND
The Weber operation is an anatomical reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament with the plantaris tendon. Few long-term studies have been published.


METHODS
We evaluated 40 ankles in 37 patients (19 women) at an average of 24 years after the procedure.


RESULTS
At follow-up, symptoms were present to vary-ing degrees in half of the ankles, but 32 patients were satisfied with the result and approximately two-thirds of the patients had a good or excellent result with the Karlsson and Good scores. Only 3 ankles had secondary arthrotic changes with narrowing (2 patients) or disappearance (1 patient) of the joint space.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the Weber procedure is a good alternative for treatment of chronic anterolateral ankle instability when a direct anatomical reconstruction is not feasible, or has failed.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands. j.s.devries@amc.uva.nl
Jasper
J
De Vries
Peter A A
PA
Struijs
Ernst L F B
EL
Raaymakers
René K
RK
Marti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome