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Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 12/2023

12-11-2023 | ANKLE

Avulsion fracture is associated with more pain after anatomic repair procedure for ATFL injury at the talar side

Authors: Shikai Xiong, Xing Xie, Weili Shi, Shuai Yang, Keying Zhang, Yanbin Pi, Linxin Chen, Dong Jiang, Yuelin Hu, Chen Jiao, Qinwei Guo

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 12/2023

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anatomic repair procedure for chronic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury at the talar side, and to compare the outcomes between patients with and without concomitant avulsion fractures. It was hypothesized that anatomic repair procedure could produce similarly satisfactory outcomes for those two groups.

Methods

Thirty-nine consecutive patients with chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side who underwent anatomic repair procedure at the department of sports medicine at Peking University Third Hospital between 2013 and 2018, were retrospectively evaluated. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Tegner score, and Foot & Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were recorded as the primary outcomes. Time to return to sports (RTS), surgical satisfaction, deficiency of ankle range of motion (ROM), recurrent sprain, and postoperative complications were recorded as the secondary outcomes. Outcomes were compared between patients with (Group A, 16 cases) and without (Group B, 23 cases) concomitant avulsion fractures.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 79.4 ± 17.0 and 76.6 ± 18.5 months for Group A and B, respectively. VAS, AOFAS, Tegner, FAOS, and all subscale scores of FAOS were significantly improved in both groups at the final follow up. Patients in group A had inferior postoperative VAS, AOFAS, FAOS, and pain score of FAOS compared to group B (1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, 89.1 ± 10.1 vs. 95.2 ± 5.2, 87.2 ± 7.2 vs. 91.5 ± 4.1, and 88.4 ± 11.3 vs. 96.7 ± 3.5, respectively).The mean time to RTS, rate of satisfaction and recurrent sprain had no significant differences between group A and B (6.1 ± 2.8, 93.8%, and 18.8% vs. 5.2 ± 2.2, 100.0%, and 13.0%, respectively), and the rate of ROM deficiency was significantly higher in group A (37.5 vs. 8.7%). Avulsion fracture was identified as an independent risk factor for inferior pain score of FAOS.

Conclusion

Anatomic repair procedure for chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side produces favourable results for patients with and without avulsion fractures at 5 to 10 years follow-up, however, avulsion fracture is associated with more pain.

Level of evidence

III.
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Metadata
Title
Avulsion fracture is associated with more pain after anatomic repair procedure for ATFL injury at the talar side
Authors
Shikai Xiong
Xing Xie
Weili Shi
Shuai Yang
Keying Zhang
Yanbin Pi
Linxin Chen
Dong Jiang
Yuelin Hu
Chen Jiao
Qinwei Guo
Publication date
12-11-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 12/2023
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-023-07658-8

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