Functional Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction with Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair Using Ultrasonically Interdigitated Suture Anchors

Abstract

This study evaluates the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction for the Broström-Gould repair of the anterior talofibular ligament using an ultrasonically interdigitated suture anchor. Medical records for patients who underwent open Broström-Gould repair with ultrasound-assisted bioabsorbable suture anchors from 2017 to 2019 were analyzed for operative outcomes and complications. Primary outcomes included surgical success rates, patient satisfaction, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Information System (PROMIS) scores for physical health and function. Secondary outcomes included time to return to physical activity and postoperative complications. Twenty-seven ankles met inclusion criteria. There was a 96.3% success rate in the clinic follow-up period at a mean of 3.9 months and a 95% success rate at 3 years postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was 90% at a mean of 37.8 months. Average PROMIS scores for physical health were “very good” and for physical fitness were “within normal limits.” Patients returned to baseline physical activity at an average of 4.6 months postoperatively. Eight (29.6%) patients had complications. Primary outcomes and PROMIS scores indicate high clinical success and satisfaction rates for patients who underwent a Broström-Gould procedure with ultrasound-assisted bioabsorbable suture anchors.