Syndesmotic Ligament Allograft Reconstruction for Treatment of Chronic Diastasis.

Abstract

Chronic diastasis after a syndesmotic injury can lead to ankle joint instability and loss of joint congruence. Failure to restore the fibula into the proper anatomic position within the incisura increases the focal stress on the talus and can accelerate degenerative joint destruction. In the case of failed syndesmotic repair, fixation options are limited. If promptly diagnosed, the syndesmosis may be amenable to open debridement and subsequent fixation with 2 interosseous screws. If latent diastasis is found, however, syndesmotic fusion by bone block arthrodesis is recommended. We present a syndesmotic allograft repair technique for surgical reconstruction of chronic unstable syndesmotic ruptures.