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Arthroscopic synovectomy in the treatment of functional ankle instability: outcomes and gait analysis

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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Natural consequence of repetitive ankle sprains is the chronic ankle instability. Objective of this study was to clarify the gait patterns of functional ankle instability (FAI) patients after arthroscopic synovectomy, but also assessment of postoperative recovery.

Patients and methods

Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed to 14 FAI patients with history of unilateral repetitive ankle sprains, pain, and subjective sensation of instability. At a mean 54 months of follow-up (27–84), clinical assessment was conducted with respect to pain, number of ankle sprains, and American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. Gait analysis was conducted to determine the temporospatial, kinetic and kinematic parameters at the last follow-up.

Results

Mean AOFAS scores increased from 68 (range 55–75) to 89 (range 77–100) points (P < 0.01). Mean ankle sprains was 13 in a period of 23 (range 14–48) months (0.58 per month) and decreased to three sprains in a mean time period of 54 months (0.053 per month) (P < 0.01). Mean preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 8.0 and 2.9, respectively (P < 0.01). During gait analysis, no significant differences were found in ankle joint, including foot progression angles, ankle dorsi-plantar flexion degrees and ground reaction forces (P > 0.01). Among temporospatial parameters, only double support time showed a significant difference (P < 0.01). All patients were satisfied from the procedure and returned to their previous activity level.

Conclusion

Improved long-term clinical results and scores were obtained in our patient group when compared with the preoperative scores. Also, three-dimensional gait analysis showed that the involved ankles demonstrate similar gait patterns to the uninvolved ankles in patients with FAI.

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Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank Shavkat Kuchimov for his technical support during gait analysis.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Medical Faculty, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey

    Egemen Altan & Hakan Şenaran

  2. Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Acibadem University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mehmet Ugur Ozbaydar

  3. Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Namik Kemal University Hospital, Tekirdağ, Turkey

    Murat Tonbul

  4. Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Istanbul Medical Faculty of Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Yener Temelli

  5. Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Division, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ekin Akalan

Authors
  1. Egemen Altan
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  2. Mehmet Ugur Ozbaydar
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  3. Murat Tonbul
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  4. Hakan Şenaran
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  5. Yener Temelli
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Correspondence to Egemen Altan.

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Altan, E., Ozbaydar, M.U., Tonbul, M. et al. Arthroscopic synovectomy in the treatment of functional ankle instability: outcomes and gait analysis. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 25, 189–197 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-014-1444-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-014-1444-x

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