Chronic lateral ankle instability: results when treated with the modified Evans procedure

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common condition affecting athletic and non-athletic populations.
• Diagnosis and etiology of CAI are complex, often involving ligamentous laxity and recurrent sprains.
• Surgical interventions are considered for persistent CAI unresponsive to conservative management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term outcomes of a modified Evans procedure for treating chronic ankle instability.
• To evaluate the functional stability and patient satisfaction following surgical correction.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective follow-up study was conducted on 29 patients who underwent a modified Evans procedure between 1974 and 1980.
• Patients were assessed for functional stability and surgical outcomes.
• Data collection included patient-reported outcomes and clinical assessments.

Main Results:

• 75% of patients who responded to the follow-up reported good functional stability.
• Surgical results were rated as 62.5% excellent, 25% good, 6.25% satisfactory, and 6.25% poor.
• The modified Evans procedure demonstrated positive outcomes in a majority of treated patients.

Conclusions:

• The modified Evans procedure is an effective surgical option for managing chronic ankle instability.
• The procedure can lead to significant improvements in functional stability and patient satisfaction.
• Long-term follow-up supports the efficacy of this surgical technique in selected patients.