Lateral ankle ligament stabilization procedures are well described in the orthopaedic literature. Although success rates are high, the incidence of recurrent instability is well documented. In addition, with standard rehabilitation protocols, the timeline to return to sport and functional activities may be prolonged. The InternalBrace Ligament Augmentation Repair is a safe and reproducible technique using FiberTape® and BioComposite SwiveLock® as an augmentation to a Brostrom procedure. The InternalBrace Ligament Augmentation repair consists of a FiberTape bridge between two Knotless Swivelock anchors providing a protective reinforcement and allows the surgeon to repair lateral or medial ankle instability and the pain associated with it. This type of repair can be utilized in acute and chronic ankle sprains.
It is hypothesized that use of InternalBrace Ligament Augmentation in addition to standard anatomic modified Brostrum repair allows for earlier return to pre-injury level compared to a standard Brostrum procedure. It is also secondarily hypothesized that intermediate and long term incidence of recurrent instability will be lower with use of internal brace augmentation of standard modified Brostrum lateral ankle ligament reconstruction.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
154
Open, anatomic repair of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments for lateral ankle stability with InternalBrace augmentation.
Open, anatomic repair of the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments for lateral ankle stability
Illinois Bone & Joint Institute
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Desert Orthopaedic Center
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Logan Regional Orthopedics
Logan, Utah, United States
Return to Work
Subject self-assessment of time of return to pre-injury level.
Time frame: Subject is called every 2 weeks between 6-26 weeks post-op timepoint and asked when they returned to pre-injury level.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
The VAS is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" (0) and "worst pain (10).
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: Pre-operative, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 26 weeks, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years
Veterans Rand (VR-12)
The VR-12 is a patient-reported instrument from which physical and mental health component summary scores (Physical Component Score and Mental Component Score) are derived. The VR-12 items assess physical functioning, role limitations due to physical or mental health problems, pain, energy, mental health, social functioning, and general health. The United States population average PCS and MCS are both 50 points. The United States population standard deviation is 10 points. Therefore, each increment of 10 points above or below 50 corresponds to one standard deviation away from the population average. Change from pre-op and post-operative data collection timepoints will be assessed.
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: Pre-operative, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 26 weeks, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years
Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)
The FAAM is a self-report measure that assesses physical function of individuals with lower leg, foot, and ankle musculoskeletal disorders. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure is a 29-item questionnaire divided into two subscales: the 21-item Activities of Daily Living Subscale and the 8-item Sports Subscale. Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (4 to 0) from 'no difficulty at all' to 'unable to do'. Item score totals, which range from 0 to 84 for the ADL subscale and 0 to 32 for the Sports subscale, were transformed to percentage scores. Higher scores represent higher levels of function for each subscale, with 100% representing no dysfunction. Change from pre-op and post-operative data collection timepoints will be assessed.
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: Pre-operative, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 26 weeks, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years
Karlsson and Peterson Scoring System
TheKarlsson and Peterson Scoring System is a self-report that assesses ankle function. It is composed of 8 questions with a low score of 0 (low function) and a high score of 100 (high function). Change from pre-op and post-operative data collection timepoints will be assessed.
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: Pre-operative, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 26 weeks, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years
Tegner Activity Score
The Tegner activity scale is a one-item score that grades activity based on work and sports activities on a scale of 0 to 10. Zero represents disability because of knee problems and 10 represents national or international level soccer. Change from pre-op and post-operative data collection timepoints will be assessed.
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: Pre-operative, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 26 weeks.
Range Of Motion
Range of motion of joints is measured using an instrument called a goniometer. Range of Motion will be measured using a goniometer during passive motion in a seated position. All measurements are from a neutral position. Normal values for the ankle are 0-50 degrees for plantar flexion and 0-20 degrees for dorsiflexion. For the foot, normal values are 0--35 degrees for inversion and 0-25 degrees for eversion. Change from pre-op and post-operative data collection timepoints will be assessed.
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: Pre-operative, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 26 weeks and 1 year.
Return to Sports
Physician assessment of patient's return to sports. Yes or No response.
Time frame: Data collected at the following time points: 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 26 weeks
Stress X-ray
A comparison of change in the anterior drawer and talar tilt. These findings determine the stability of the ligaments, The anterior drawer is measured in millimeters and the talar tilt is measured in degrees.
Time frame: Data will be collected at Pre-op and 1 year.
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