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A novel patient-specific navigational template for anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments

International Orthopaedics volume 40, pages 59–64 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

We discuss the clinical effects of anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments to treat chronic lateral ankle instability (CAI) by creating fibular channels with a patient-specific navigational template.

Methods

From August 2010 to February 2014, 15 patients presenting with CAI were treated by creating fibular channels with a patient-specific navigational template for anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments.

Results

All patients were followed up for nine to 24 months postoperatively (15 months on average); no recurrent CAI was found. Pre- and postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores for patients in the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) plus anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair group were 48.3 ± 5.1 and 88.1 ± 6.7) respectively. The difference (average 39.8) showed high statistical significance (P < 0.001). Pre- and postoperative scores in the ATFL group were 50.4 ± 6.2 and 90.3 ± 7.8, respectively. The difference (average 39.9) showed high statistical significance (P < 0.001). Regarding the Good score, 14 patients were rated as “excellent and one as good (good = 100 %). No severe complications were found in the patients in this group.

Conclusions

We studied and successfully built a digital navigation template for creating fibular channels to anatomically reconstruct the lateral ankle ligament. By using the template, fibular channels could be built, and lateral ligaments could be anatomically reconstructed individually, easily and safely, which largely facilitates the treatment of CAI.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Foundation of the State Key Laboratory of Robotics (NO. 2014-O12).

Conflict of interest

All listed authors have made substantial contributions to the manuscript and do not have any conflicts of interest.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, Kunming General Hospital of Chengdu Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Kunming, China

    Yong Sha, Jing Ding, Hui Tang, Chunxiao Li, Haotian Luo & Yongqing Xu

  2. Department of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Shenyang, China

    Hongwei Wang & Jun Liu

Authors
  1. Yong Sha
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  2. Hongwei Wang
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  3. Jing Ding
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  4. Hui Tang
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  5. Chunxiao Li
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  6. Haotian Luo
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  7. Jun Liu
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  8. Yongqing Xu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yongqing Xu.

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Sha, Y., Wang, H., Ding, J. et al. A novel patient-specific navigational template for anatomical reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 40, 59–64 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-015-2817-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-015-2817-4

Keywords

  • Navigation
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Chronic lateral ankle instability
  • Anatomical reconstruction