To investigatethe clinical efficacy of the modified Brostrom methodunder ankle arthroscope to repair the anterior tibiofibular ligament (ATFL) for chronic ankle instability.

From December 2015 to January 2017, 12 patients with chronic ankle instability were treated by modified Brostrom method under ankle arthroscope for repairing anterior talofibular ligament(ATFL). The American Foot and Ankle Surgery Society score (AOFAS), Tegner exercise level score and talus tilt angle change were used to evaluate the curative effect before and after operation, and the patients were followed up to observe the occurrence of complications. Paired t test was used to compare the observation indexes before and after treatment.

All the 12 patients were followed up for (26±8) months on average. During the follow-up period, ankle activity was basically restored to normal in all of them, and ankle instability was not occurred. Ankle swelling and pain disappeared. At the last follow-up, the AOFAS score was (91.0±2.6) and the Tegner score was (6.0±1.2), which were significantly higher than the preoperative ones(t =10.57, 12.38, both P<0.001). The talus inclination angle was (4.5±1.0)° which was lower than the preoperative one(t=7.13, P<0.001).

Anatomical reconstruction ATFL under ankle arthroscope could more accurately detect ligament breaks, locate ligament attachment points, with less trauma, mild pain, and quick recovery in the treatment of chronic ankle instability.