The purpose of this study was to systematically review the current evidence in the literature to ascertain whether the anatomic ankle ligament reconstruction procedure with allograft resulted in improved patient outcomes after ≥2 years of follow-up. A literature search of Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was performed based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. Clinical studies investigating anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction procedures for chronic ankle instability with a mean of >2 years' follow-up were included. Means were calculated for population size, age, follow-up duration, and postoperative Tegner scores. Pooled estimates were calculated for postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, range of motion, return to sports, risk of postoperative instability, and complications. Six clinical trials with 153 patients were included. The pooled estimated mean for the postoperative AOFAS score was 89.4 points (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.0 to 92.9; I2 = 88.7%). The pooled proportion of patients who returned to sports after surgery was 80% (95% CI 57.0% to 100%; I2 = 88.7%). The pooled total risk of recurrent instability after surgery was 6% (95% CI 1% to 12%; I2 = 0%). No rejection was reported. Anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction procedure results in significant improvements in patient function and outcome scores, with low rates of recurrent instability.
Keywords: ATFL; allograft; chronic ankle instability; meta-analysis; reconstruction; systematic review.
Copyright © 2019 the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.