Ankle Instability and Arthroscopy: Ligament Reconstruction or Not

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Anatomy

Background:

• Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common condition often involving lateral ankle ligaments (LAL).
• Arthroscopic repair is the primary surgical treatment for LAL injuries.
• Endoscopic reconstruction serves as an alternative when repair is not feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the indications for endoscopic reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments.
• To outline the advantages and disadvantages of this minimally invasive technique.
• To detail the primary technical steps involved in endoscopic LAL reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on arthroscopic and endoscopic LAL procedures.
• Intraoperative arthroscopic assessment techniques for evaluating ligament remnants.
• Description of the surgical steps for endoscopic LAL reconstruction.

Main Results:

• Endoscopic reconstruction is a validated technique for CAI when ligament repair is contraindicated.
• Intraoperative assessment is crucial for surgical decision-making.
• The procedure offers a minimally invasive approach with specific technical considerations.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic reconstruction is an effective alternative for managing chronic ankle instability.
• Accurate intraoperative assessment is key to successful surgical outcomes.
• This technique provides a valuable option for patients unsuitable for direct ligament repair.