Gender Differences in Outcome After Modified Broström Procedure for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

The modified Broström procedure is commonly used for anatomic repair of chronic lateral ankle instability. However, no studies have compared outcomes of gender-based differences after the modified Broström procedure. We compared outcomes of the modified Broström procedure in men and women.

A total of 155 patients (155 ankles) treated with the modified Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability constituted the study cohort. The 155 ankles were divided into 2 groups: a men's group (94 ankles) and a women's group (61 ankles). The Karlsson score, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, talar tilt, and anterior talar translation were used to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes. The mean follow-up duration was 42.8 months (range, 24-101).

Mean preoperative Karlsson scores were 53.6 points (39-65) in the men's group and 54.9 points (39-65) in the women's group, and these improved to 93.2 (72-100) and 92.2 (80-100), respectively, at the final follow-up. Mean preoperative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 62.4 points (44-79) in men and 63.6 points (49-77) in women and 93.7 (72-100) and 92.3 (79-100), respectively, at the final follow-up. Mean preoperative talar tilt angles decreased from 11.9 degrees (2.5-27.5) in men and 11.4 degrees (0.9-24.7) in women to 6.0 (1.0-11.5) and 6.0 (2.3-11.9), respectively, at the final follow-up. Mean preoperative anterior talar translation in men and women improved from 8.6 mm (5.1-14.6) and 8.7 mm (2.3-11.9) to 6.0 (4.3-8.7) and 5.8 (3.3-9.9), respectively, at the final follow-up. No significant differences were found between men and women in terms of Karlsson scores, AOFAS scores, talar tilt angle, and anterior talar translation.

The modified Broström procedure showed similar good functional and radiographic outcomes in men and women. These results suggest that the modified Broström procedure is effective and reliable for treating chronic lateral ankle instability regardless of gender.

Level III, retrospective comparative cohort study.