Risk factors for chronic ankle instability after first episode of lateral ankle sprain:A retrospective analysis of 362 cases

Background:Chronic ankle instability(CAI) is a common sequela following an acute lateral ankle sprain(LAS).To treat an acture LAS more effectively and efficiently,it is important to identify patients at substantial risk for developing CAI.This study identifies magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) manifestations for predicting CAI development after a first episode of LAS and explores appropriate clinical indications for ordering MRI scans for these patients.Methods:All patients with a first-episode LAS who received plain radiograph and MRI scanning within the first 2 weeks after LAS from December 1,2017 to December 1,2019 were identified.Data were collected using the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool at final follow-up.Demographic and other related clinical variables,including age,sex,body mass index,and treatment were also recorded.Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed successively to identify risk factors for CAI after first-episode LAS.Results:A total 131 out of 362 patients with a mean follow-up of 3.0± 0.6 years(mean ± SD;2.0—4.1 years) developed CAI after first-episode LAS.According to multivariable regression,development of CAI after first-episode LAS was associated with 5 prognostic factors:age(odds ratio(OR)=0.96,95% confidence interval(95%CI):0.93-1.00,p=0.032);body mass index(OR=1.09,95%CI:1.02-1.17,p=0.009);posterior talofibular ligament injury(OR=2.17,95%CI:1.05-4.48,p=0.035);large bone marrow lesion of the talus(OR=2.69,95%CI:1.30-5.58,p=0.008),and Grade 2 effusion of the tibiotalar joint(OR=2.61,95%CI:1.39-4.89,p=0.003).When patients had at least 1 positive clinical finding in the 10-m walk test,anterior drawer test,or inversion tilt test,they had a 90.2% sensitivity and 77.4% specificity in terms of detecting at least 1 prognostic factor by MRI.Conclusion:MRI scanning is valuable in predicting CAI after first-episode LAS for those patients with at least 1 positive clinical finding in the10-m walk test,anterior drawer test,and inversion tilt test.Further prospective and large-scale studies are necessary for validation.

Chronic ankle instability is associated with proprioception deficits:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Acute ankle injury causes damage to joint mechanoreceptors and deafferentation and contributes to proprioception deficits in patients with chronic ankle instability(CAI).We aimed to explore whether deficits of proprioception,including kinesthesia and joint position sense(JPS),exist in patients with CAI when compared with the uninjured contralateral side and healthy people.We hypothesized that proprioception deficits did exist in patients with CAI and that the deficits varied by test methodologies.Methods:The study was a systematic review and meta-analysis.We identified studies that compared kinesthesia or JPS in patients with CAI with the uninjured contralateral side or with healthy controls.Meta-analyses were conducted for the studies with similar test procedures,and narrative syntheses were undertaken for the rest.Results:A total of 7731 studies were identified,of which 30 were included for review.A total of 21 studies were eligible for meta-analysis.Compared with the contralateral side,patients with CAI had ankle kinesthesia deficits in inversion and plantarflexion,with a standardized mean difference(SMD)of 0.41 and 0.92,respectively,and active and passive JPS deficits in inversion(SMD=0.92 and 0.72,respectively).Compared with healthy people,patients with CAI had ankle kinesthesia deficits in inversion and eversion(SMD=0.64 and 0.76,respectively),and active JPS deficits in inversion and eversion(SMD=1.00 and 4.82,respectively).Proprioception deficits in the knee and shoulder of patients with CAI were not statistically significant.Conclusion:Proprioception,including both kinesthesia and JPS,of the injured ankle of patients with CAI was impaired,compared with the uninjured contralateral limbs and healthy people.Proprioception varied depending on different movement directions and test methodologies.The use of more detailed measurements of proprioception and interventions for restoring the deficits are recommended in the clinical management of CAI.

Arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of lateral collateral ligaments with ligament advanced reinforcement system artificial ligament for chronic ankle instability

BACKGROUND Recently,the use of ligament advanced reinforcement system(LARS)artificial ligament,a new graft which has several unique advantages such as no donor-site morbidity,early recovery and no risk of disease transmission which has been a significant breakthrough for anatomical ligament reconstruction.Growing studies suggested that the special design of the LARS ligament with open fibers in its intra-articular part was believed to be more resistant to torsional fatigue and wearing.However,the safety and efficacy of LARS artificial ligament for ankle joint lateral collateral ankle ligament reconstruction has not been defined to date.AIM To evaluate the clinical results of all-arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of ankle joint lateral collateral ligaments with the LARS artificial ligament for chronic ankle instability.METHODS Twenty-two patients with chronic lateral instability underwent anatomical reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligaments of ankle with LARS artificial ligament.The visual analogue score(VAS),American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score(AOFAS score)and Karlsson score were used to evaluate the clinical results before and after surgery.RESULTS A total of 22 patients(22 ankles)were followed up for a mean of 12 mo.All patients reported significant improvement compared to their preoperative status.The mean AOFAS score improved from 42.3±4.9 preoperatively to 90.4±6.7 postoperatively.The mean Karlsson score improved from 38.5±3.2 preoperatively to 90.1±7.8 postoperatively.The mean VAS score improved from 1.9±2.5 preoperatively to 0.8±1.7 postoperatively.CONCLUSION All-arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligaments with LARS artificial ligament achieved a satisfactory surgical outcome for chronic ankle instability.

Effect of biophysical interventions on balance and postural control in patients with ankle instability:A systematic review

Ankle sprains have been one of the most prevalent injuries in active populations.This study aims to summarize the evidence of the effect of the biophysical techniques on balance and postural control in patients with ankle instability,and provide an overview of the application of biophysical interventions in patients with chronic ankle instability(CAI).A systematic search was conducted to include ten articles from 1989 to 2022 in this study.These articles were classified into two categories of balance and postural control.The authors identified a total of 1267 papers and decided to include 10 of them in the systematic review.The Star Excursion Balance Test(SEBT)technique can help clinicians identify balance deficits and postural control,including a comprehensive evaluation of joint stability,strength,and sensorimotor function that would be undetected with single-leg stance static tests.These ten studies involved 481 participants with a mean age of 25.5±6.3 years.The mean duration time of the interventions was 5.4±2.4 weeks and the mean session training duration time was 36.7±17.0 min.The Kinesio taping(KT)and both the soft and semi-rigid orthosis brace may be productive in enhancing dynamic balance assessed by Star Excursion Balance Test.The use of SG may improve perceived ankle instability and dynamic postural control(i.e.,anterior reach during SEBT)of patients with CAI.Regarding the intervention group,no homogeneity results in uncertainties about which techniques of intervention affect balance and postural control.

A new method of anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction:Arthroscopically artificial ligament reconstruction with tensional remnant-repair

Purpose:To investigate the clinical effects of arthroscopically artificial ligament reconstruction with tensional remnant-repair in patients who are obese,and/or with demand for highly intensive sports,and/or with poor-quality ligament remnants.Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed on patients treated by arthroscopically anterior talofibular ligament(ATFL)reconstruction with tensional remnant repair technique from January 2019 to August 2021.General data,including demographics,surgical time,and postoperative adverse events,were recorded.The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score(AOFAS),foot and ankle ability measure(FAAM),visual analog scale(VAS),and anterior talar translation were measured preoperatively and at 6 weeks,3 months,and 2 years postoperatively.Ultrasonography examination was performed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively to evaluate the ATFL.Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0.F test was used to analyze the pre-and postoperative VAS,FAAM,and AOFAS scores.The significance was set at p<0.05.Results:There were 20 males and 10 females among the patients with a mean age of(30.71±5.81)years.The average surgical time was(40.21±8.59)min.No adverse events were observed after surgery.At 2 years postoperatively,the anterior talar translation test showed grade 0 laxity in all patients.VAS score significantly decreased from preoperatively to 6 weeks,3 months,and 2 years postoperatively(p<0.001).Improvement of FAAM score and the AOFAS score from preoperatively to 6 weeks,3 months,and 2 years postoperatively was statistically significant(p<0.001).At 3 months postoperatively,most patients(23/30)could return to their pre-injured activities of daily living status.At 2 years postoperatively,all patients were able to return to their pre-injured activities of daily living status,and almost every patient(18/19)who expected highly intensive sports returned to sports with only 1 obese patient failing to achieve the goal.The ultrasonography examination at 2 years postoperatively showed that there was a linear band structure of soft tissue on the tension-rich fiber tape image from the fibular to the talar attachment sits of ATFL.Conclusion:The novel arthroscopically artificial ligament reconstruction with tensional remnant-repair technique for ATFL achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes in the short and medium term after operation,and allowed early return to pre-injured activities,which could be a reliable option for patients with chronic lateral ankle instability.