Salvage of Chronic Syndesmosis Instability: A Retrospective Review With Mid-Term Follow-Up

Malreduced syndesmotic injuries lead to poor outcomes. No consensus exists regarding preferred surgical treatment. This study aims to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing distal tibiofibular arthrodesis or stabilization. Retrospective review identified patients undergoing distal tibiofibular arthrodesis or stabilization between 2003 and 2019. Surgical factors, revision surgeries, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score ankle-hindfoot scores were collected. Radiographs were independently evaluated by 4 surgeons. Seventy patients were included. Mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score scores (n = 33) improved from 48 ± 16 preoperatively to 85 ± 14 (p < .001) at a median follow-up of 31.1 months. Mean Kellgren scores (n = 47) increased from 2.1 ± 1 to 2.5 ± 1 (p < .001) and the mean medial clear space decreased from 3.2 mm ± 0.8 mm to 2.8 mm ± 0.8 mm (p <.001) with no differences between the arthrodesis and stabilization groups. Zero patients progressed to arthroplasty or fusion. Patients demonstrated significant functional improvement after distal tibiofibular arthrodesis and stabilization. Progression of arthritis, while statistically significant, was not clinically significant.