Treatment of Chronic Ankle Lateral Instability using Modified Brostrom Procedure

Purpose : To analyze the results of modified Brostrom procedure for chronic ankle lateral instability. Materials and Methods : Twenty six patients were followed up for more than 1 year after performing the modified Brostrom procedure. The mean age was 35.3 years, and the mean follow-up period was 2.4 years. Anterior and varus stress radiographs were taken in all cases, and a preoperative MRI was taken in 22 cases. Clinically, the Karlsson scale and Sefton grading were used. The effects of age, injury pattern and associated injury such as osteochondral fracture on the clinical results were analyzed. Results : Radiologically the difference in anterior displacement between the affected side and contralateral side was 3.1 mm, and that of the varus tilt was 4.2o. At the last follow-up, the Karlsson scale had increased from preoperative 47.5 points to 90.3 points. There were 14 excellent, 8 good, 3 fair and 1 poor results according to the Sefton grading. The results were significantly worse in patients over 50 years of age. An osteochondral fracture or degenerative changes also lowered the level of patient satisfaction. Conclusion : The modified Brostrom procedure appears to be a safe and highly satisfactory procedure. However, a more careful approach is needed for patients over 50 years of age or with associated degenerative changes.