title: Lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft in patients with severe chronic ankle instability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic ankle instability is a condition of perception of giving way and persistent pain usually following multiple ankle sprains. In case of severe joint laxity, surgical treatment with reconstruction of the lateral ligamental complex is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of patients treated with lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft for severe chronic lateral ankle instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective cohort study of ten patients who underwent allograft external non-anatomic ligamentoplasty for severe chronic lateral ankle instability between 2009 and 2011, with an average follow-up of 16.3 months (SD 8.2). Median age at surgery was 29 years (range 25-35). All patients presented both ATFL and CFL lesion. Patients were evaluated using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, Karlsson-Peterson score, Tegner activity level, Sefton stability scale, and objective examination comprehending range of motion, anterior drawer sign and talar tilt test. Telos stress equipment was used for pre- and post-operative radiographic laxity testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up examination at an average of 16.3 months (SD 8.2) after surgery showed significant improvement of all variables compared to pre-operative values (p < 0.001). Most patients rated their outcome as good/excellent. Telos stress radiographs documented improvement in joint stability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lateral ligament reconstruction with allograft represents a valid treatment option in patients with severe chronic lateral ankle instability.
authors.affiliation: U.O.S.D. Chirurgia Articolare Mininvasiva (Minimally Invasive Articular Surgery Unit), Istituto Ortopedico G. Pini, Piazza A. Ferrari, 1, 20122, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terzaghi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Legnani
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borgo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D064591:Allografts; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017844:Lateral Ligament, Ankle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous