Tendon transfer for lateral ankle and subtalar joint instability.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Anatomy

Background:

• Chronic lateral ankle instability is a common condition.
• Subtalar joint instability often coexists with ankle instability.
• Current treatment options may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a specific surgical technique for chronic lateral ankle and subtalar joint instability.
• To assess the outcomes of using the distal peroneus brevis tendon for ankle reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-three patients with lateral ankle instability underwent surgery.
• A distal peroneus brevis tendon graft was passed through the lateral malleolus and calcaneus.
• Graft placement was adapted to the specific instability pattern.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in radiographically measured instability was observed in 51 out of 73 patients at 9 and 24 months.
• No residual subtalar instability was detected post-surgery.
• All patients were able to resume normal activity levels.

Conclusions:

• The described surgical procedure is a safe and effective treatment for chronic lateral ankle and subtalar joint instability.
• Utilizing the peroneus brevis tendon offers a viable reconstructive option.
• The technique facilitates a return to pre-injury activity levels.