Minimally Invasive Allograft Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction

Chronic lateral ankle ligament laxity can be associated with symptoms related to ankle instability and impaired ankle function and may contribute to accelerating posttraumatic degeneration in the ankle joint. Attenuation or failure of previously repaired ligaments in case of recurrent laxity requires augmentation with autograft or allograft as local tissue is frequently of insufficient quality. Furthermore, failed surgical repair may be associated with previous surgical scars and compromised local skin and subcutaneous tissues. Minimally invasive reconstruction of lateral ankle ligaments is an attractive option that avoids long exposures and scars and the risks for wound or flap failure, especially in patients with previous scars or poor soft tissues. Availability of interference screws precludes the need for making bone tunnels to secure the graft to bone and makes the percutaneous and minimally invasive reconstruction feasible.