Recognition of Failure Modes of Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction: Revision and Salvage Options

Primary lateral ankle ligament reconstruction has a high success rate, but failures may lead to recurrent instability. In patients with recurrent lateral ankle instability, it is important to determine the mode of failure. Underlying cavovarus deformity and joint hypermobility must be identified and addressed at the time of revision surgical stabilization. The modified Brostrom-Gould procedure is typically performed for primary lateral ankle ligament reconstruction, but it may be used in revision stabilization procedures utilizing suture-tape augmentation. Revision lateral ankle stabilization surgery can also be addressed with anatomic allograft reconstruction of the ATFL and CFL, and is the authors'preferred technique.