IS RECONSTRUCTION ALWAYS NECESSARY IN CHRONIC LATERAL ANKLE INSTABILITY?
MalviyaA. ; MakwanaN. ; and LaingP. Aims: Lateral ligament complex injuries are a common cause of chronic ankle instability. It has been found that functional and mechanical instability of the ankle joint can respond to arthroscopic debridement of the ankle alone and that not all structurally unstable joints require stabilisation. The aim of this study was to find out the role of EUA & Arthroscopy in the management of these problems. Methods: We retrospectively studied 43 patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who had failed to respond to a functional rehabilitation programme. All patients underwent an examination under anaesthesia with stress views to determine instability proceeded by arthroscopic examination of the ankle. Results: Intra-articular bony lesion was seen in 41.8% of cases. 79.1% had fibrosis in the anterolateral gutter, 27.9% had osteochondral defect, 30.2% had osteophytes causing impingement and 9.3% had loose bodies. Structural instability was confirmed in 53
