Arthroscopic Deltoid Ligament Repair as a Potential Alternative Treatment for Ankle Deltoid Ligament Injury

Background: Arthroscopic deltoid ligament (DL) repair is a recently introduced technique, with few studies currently comparing the outcomes of open and arthroscopic deltoid repairs. This study compares the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients who underwent either open or arthroscopic DL repair. Methods: Forty-one patients underwent surgical repair for a ruptured DL by a single surgeon at the study site hospital between 2013 and 2022. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, and a visual analog scale (VAS). Radiologic outcomes were evaluated through anterior talar translation and talar tilt tests, with stress radiography conducted at 6 months and 1 year post-surgery. Results: No significant differences in sex ratio, age, or direction of injury were observed between the groups. Additionally, there were no significant differences in clinical and radiologic outcomes between the groups. However, both clinical and radiologic outcomes showed significant improvement after surgery compared to preoperative conditions in both groups. Conclusions: Considering the benefits of arthroscopic surgery, arthroscopic deltoid repair can be regarded as a suitable option for treating DL injuries.