Published online Sep 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i25.8893
Peer-review started: September 29, 2021
First decision: November 11, 2021
Revised: July 27, 2022
Article in press: July 27, 2022
Published online: September 6, 2022
Processing time: 330 Days and 16.9 Hours
Recently, the use of ligament advanced reinforcement system (LARS) artificial ligament, a new graft which has several unique advantages such as no donor-site morbidity, early recovery and no risk of disease transmission which has been a significant breakthrough for anatomical ligament reconstruction. Growing studies suggested that the special design of the LARS ligament with open fibers in its intra-articular part was believed to be more resistant to torsional fatigue and wearing. However, the safety and efficacy of LARS artificial ligament for ankle joint lateral collateral ankle ligament reconstruction has not been defined to date.
To evaluate the clinical results of all-arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of ankle joint lateral collateral ligaments with the LARS artificial ligament for chronic ankle instability.
Twenty-two patients with chronic lateral instability underwent anatomical reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligaments of ankle with LARS artificial ligament. The visual analogue score (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS score) and Karlsson score were used to evaluate the clinical results before and after surgery.
A total of 22 patients (22 ankles) were followed up for a mean of 12 mo. All patients reported significant improvement compared to their preoperative status. The mean AOFAS score improved from 42.3 ± 4.9 preoperatively to 90.4 ± 6.7 postoperatively. The mean Karlsson score improved from 38.5 ± 3.2 preoperatively to 90.1 ± 7.8 postoperatively. The mean VAS score improved from 1.9 ± 2.5 preoperatively to 0.8 ± 1.7 postoperatively.
All-arthroscopic anatomical reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligaments with LARS artificial ligament achieved a satisfactory surgical outcome for chronic ankle instability.
Core Tip: Chronic lateral ankle instability is usually caused directly by lateral collateral ligament injury. The ligament advanced reinforcement system (LARS) is a new graft with unique advantages such as low postoperative complication rates, early rehabilitation and its design makes it more resistant to torsional fatigue and wearing. However, the safety and efficacy of LARS artificial ligament for ankle joint lateral collateral ankle ligament reconstruction have not been determined to date. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this anatomical reconstructive surgery for chronic ankle instability by using LARS artificial ligament under all-arthroscopic conditions.