Anatomical reconstruction of anterior talofibular ligament by partial peroneal brevis tendon combined with double intra-fix screws

Abstract

To investigate the effectiveness of anatomical reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament by partial peroneal brevis tendon combined with double intra-fix screws. A clinical data of 46 patients with the anterior talofibular ligament rupture admitted between September 2015 and October 2019 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. All anterior talofibular ligaments were reconstructed with partial peroneal brevis tendon and fixed with double intra-fix screws. There were 22 males and 24 females, with an average age of 28.1 years (range, 16-52 years). Forty cases had a history of ankle sprain, 1 case was injured by a heavy object, and 5 cases were suffered from falls. There were 17 cases on the left side and 29 cases on the right side. The disease duration ranged from 3 months to 10 years (median, 20.3 months). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, varus angle of ankle, and the difference of the anterior talar translation between healthy and affected sides (looseness, similarity, tightness) were recorded before and after operation; 23 patients were evaluated by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) score, including pain interference (PI) and physical function (PF) scores. The operation time was 39-179 minutes, with an average of 65.8 minutes. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 23 months). The VAS score, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, varus angle of ankle, difference of the anterior talar translation between healthy and affected sides, and PI and PF scores of PROMIS at 6 months and last follow-up significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS score, PI score of PROMIS, and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score between at 6 months and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). However, the PF score of PROMIS, the difference of the anterior talar translation between healthy and affected sides, and the varus angle of ankle were significant ( P<0.05). Anatomical reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament by partial peroneal brevis tendon and double intra-fix screws has the advantages of small incision, convenient tendon removal, and firm graft fixation. The postoperative patients recover quickly and the effectiveness is satisfactory.