Ankle Arthroscopy, Lateral Ligament Repair and Peroneal Tendon Reefing for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: The Triad vs Arthroscopy with Ligament Repair

Peroneal tendon and retinacular pathology contributes to chronic lateral ankle instability. The “gold standard” surgical treatment for chronic lateral ankle instability has been the BroströmGould procedure with its modifications. An ankle arthroscopy is an adjuvant procedure to address any intra-articular pathology. We review our results of two study groups. The first group underwent an ankle arthroscopy and a Broström-Gould procedure. The second group (triad) underwent an ankle arthroscopy, the Broström-Gould procedure and excision of low lying peroneal muscle belly with tightening of the inferior peroneal retinaculum. The triad technique was performed on 97 patients and results compared to 71 ankle arthroscopies with the Broström-Gould procedure. The patients were contacted at a mean follow-up time of 30 months for postoperative ACFAS scores, VAS scores, and overall satisfaction. Patients were also asked to report incidence of ankle sprain recurrence. The average postoperative ACFAS hindfoot and ankle score was 92 for the triad group and 89 for the arthroscopic debridement and Broström-Gould group. The average overall satisfaction was 98% in the triad group and 91% in the scope and Broström group. There were 4 (4.3%) recurrences in the triad group and 12 (17.6%) in the Broström-Gould with scope group. Each group had a similar incidence of wound healing complications. Peroneal tendon and retinacular pathology contributes to continued ankle instability and pain. We believe that the triad procedure is superior to the Broström-Gould procedure.