Intermediate-term Outcomes in Adolescent Recurrent Ankle Instability Managed With a Modified Broström-Gould Procedure Augmented With Distal Fibular Periosteum Incorporation.

Background: Once a child has developed chronic ankle instability with recurrent events despite conservative treatment, then ligamentous repair is warranted. We utilize a modification of the modified Broström-Gould technique that further incorporates the distal fibular periosteum into the construct. The purpose of this study was to describe the intermediate-term outcomes of our modified Broström-Gould technique for chronic lateral ankle instability in childhood athletes.

Methods: A retrospective review of children who underwent the surgical technique over a 10-year time period (2010 to 2019) was performed, excluding those with <2 years of follow-up. Demographic, surgical, and clinical data were recorded, as well as outcome scores: (1) the Marx activity scale, (2) University of California, Los Angeles activity score, and (3) foot and ankle outcomes score. Recurrent instability events, repeat surgeries, satisfaction with the surgical experience, and return to sport (if applicable) were also recorded.

Results: Forty-six children (43 females) with 1 bilateral ankle met the criteria with a mean age at surgery of 14.8 years, and a mean follow-up duration of 4.9 years. The mean Marx activity score was 9.0±5.1, the mean University of California, Los Angeles score was 8.3±1.8, and the mean total foot and ankle outcomes score was 84.0±15.6. Twenty-six ankles (55.3%) reported having at least 1 recurrent episode of instability and 6 of the ankles (12.8%) underwent revision surgery between 3.5 months and 6.5 years of the index procedure. Thirty-nine (84.8%) patients responded that they would undergo our surgery again.

Conclusion: A modified Broström-Gould procedure can be performed in children with the incorporation of the adjacent periosteum, but recurrence of instability is distinctly possible with longer follow-up with a risk for revision surgery despite good subjective outcomes.

Level of evidence: Level IV; retrospective case series.