Abstract
Purpose
Neurovascular structures around the ankle are at risk of injury during arthroscopic all-inside lateral collateral ligament repair for the treatment of chronic ankle instability. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of damage to anatomical structures and reproducibility of the technique amongst surgeons with different levels of expertise in the arthroscopic all-inside ligament repair.
Methods
Twelve fresh-frozen ankle specimens were used for the study. Two foot and ankle surgeons with different level of experience in the technique performed the procedure on 6 specimens each. The repair was performed following a standardized procedure as originally described. Then, an experienced anatomist dissected all the specimens to evaluate the outcome of the ligament repair, any injuries to anatomical structures and the distance between arthroscopic portals and the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) and sural nerve.
Results
Dissections revealed no injury to the nerves assessed. Mean distance from the anterolateral portal and the SPN was of 4.8 (range 0.0–10.4) mm. The mean distance from the accessory anterolateral portal to the SPN and sural nerve was of 14.2 (range 7.1–32.9) mm and 28.1 (range 2.8–39.6) mm, respectively. The difference between the 2 surgeons’ groups was non-statistically significant for any measurement (mm). In all specimens both fascicles of the anterior talofibular ligament were reattached onto its original fibular footprint. The calcaneofibular ligament was not penetrated in any specimen.
Conclusions
The all-inside arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament repair is a safe and reproducible technique. The clinical relevance of this study is that this technique provides a safe and anatomic reattachment of the anterior talofibular ligament, with minimal risk of injury to surrounding anatomical structures regardless of the level of experience with the technique.
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Acknowledgements
This study was realized at ArthroLab™ in Munich (Germany). The authors would like to thank Arthrex GmbH for providing cadaveric specimens and all the surgical instruments needed for the study.
Funding
Arthrex GmbH provided the laboratory, surgical instruments and cadaveric specimens for the study. No other external funding was used.
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The study was approved by the University of Barcelona with IRB number: 00003099.
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Guelfi, M., Vega, J., Malagelada, F. et al. The arthroscopic all-inside ankle lateral collateral ligament repair is a safe and reproducible technique. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 28, 63–69 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05427-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05427-0