Summary

After review of all available literature that contains return to play (RTP) metrics following lateral ligament repair, it is evident that there is no standardized, evidence-based RTP criteria available for physicians to return their patients to sport; such criteria is necessary in order to maximize athletic performance and minimize risk of re-injury following lateral ankle ligament repair.

Abstract

Introduction

Lateral ankle ligament repair is typically indicated for active individuals with chronic ankle instability that is refractory to non-operative management. Although multiple surgical techniques have been described to address lateral ankle instability, the gold standard is the Brostrom procedure with or without the Gould modification (inferior extensor retinaculum reinforcement). However, few studies have investigated return to play (RTP) following lateral ankle ligament repair and the most appropriate criteria for postoperative RTP have not been established. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify studies that have examined RTP in the setting of lateral ankle ligament repair and to aggregate their results with regard to RTP protocol characteristics and postoperative outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of original research articles was performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. To qualify for study inclusion, articles were required to be published in English, Level 4 evidence or higher, and had to examine RTP following either Brostrom repair or modified Brostrom-Gould repair. Open and arthroscopic surgical procedures were included. No restrictions were made regarding publication date and methodological quality. RTP data were extracted to assess return to pre-injury level of competition and criteria for RTP following lateral ankle ligament repair.

Results

Thirty-seven articles including 2,593 Brostrom repairs, Brostrom-Gould, modified Brostrom-Gould repairs, or Karlsson repairs were identified. A total of 23 articles (62.0%) utilized the modified Brostrom-Gould technique, 5 (14%) utilized the Brostrom-Gould technique, 8 articles (22.0%) examined the Brostrom technique exclusively, and 3 (8%) reported the Karlsson modification of the Brostrom. 29 (78%) articles employed an open surgical approach, 11 (30%) articles performed lateral ankle ligament repair arthroscopically, and three (8%) studies reviewed both. The three most commonly used functional scales to measure surgical outcomes were the AOFAS in 17 (46%) studies, VAS in 11 (30%) studies, and the KAFS in 11 (30%) studies. Average time to RTP was 13.7 weeks. The overall rate of RTP was 86.6%, with 78.9% of patients returning to play at the pre-injury activity level. There was little agreement between articles regarding the appropriate RTP timeline postoperatively (range: 4-16 weeks). 11 of the included articles (30%) reported using any return to play criteria, with only 2 (5%) describing a specific RTP criteria based on objective, quantitative criteria such as functional scales or radiographic measurements.

Discussion And Conclusion

Nearly one-quarter of athletes who underwent Brostrom repair or modified Brostrom-Gould, or Karlsson repair failed to return to their pre-injury level of activity. RTP criteria varied widely among the included articles and were based upon disparate factors including subjective patient symptoms, rigid postoperative timelines, physical exam findings, various functional scales, and radiographic measurements. The results of this systematic review suggest that standardized, evidence-based RTP criteria are needed in order to maximize athletic performance and minimize risk of re-injury following lateral ankle ligament repair.