Functional Results of Open Brostrom Ankle Ligament Repair Augmented With a Suture Tape

Background: The Brostrom procedure is the most commonly used lateral ligament repair for chronic instability, but there is concern about the strength of the repair and the risk of reinjury. Currently, the InternalBrace(TM) ligament augmentation repair is an accepted augmentation method for management of a Brostrom procedure. Our hypothesis was that augmentation of the Brostrom repair with an InternalBrace(TM) would allow accelerated rehabilitation and return to activity and would aid in stability of the repair without a tendency to stretch. Methods: Eighty-one patients with lateral ankle instability procedures repaired with a Brostrom and InternalBrace(TM) augmentation were evaluated at a one-time postoperative visit between 6 and 24 months. Outcomes included demographics, surgical time, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score, Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), satisfaction, and objective clinical measurements. Eighty-one patients were analyzed including 30 males and 51 females. Median age was 34 years (range, 18-62 years) with a median return for follow-up of 11.5 months (range, 6-27 months). Results: Average postoperative VAS and satisfaction were 0.8 1.4 and 9.1 1.6, respectively. Mean return to sport (n = 68) was 84.1 days. Average AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score was 94.3. A score of 90 or higher on the FAAM Sports subscale was seen in 79.0% of the subjects. The single-leg hop test (Limb Symmetry Index %) showed that 86.4% of patients returned to normal or near normal function. The tape measure method and ankle dorsiflexion comparisons showed a significant difference: 9.2 +/- 3.3 cm (operative side) and 10.4 +/- 3.7 cm (contralateral side) (P = .034). Ankle plantar flexion comparison (goniometer) was 48.5 +/- 11.5 degrees (operative side) and 49.7 +/- 11.9 degrees (contralateral side), showing no difference (P = .506). Conclusion: These results suggest that InternalBrace(TM) augmentation of a Brostrom procedure is a safe and efficacious procedure that produces favorable outcomes in patients in terms of preventing recurrent instability in the ankle in the short term. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.