Arthroscopic Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament Repair With Syndesmosis Stabilization in the Treatment of Chronic Tibiofibular Instability.

Abstract

Ankle joint injuries are one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the general population, being reported as the most frequent of all injuries in athletes. A complex anatomy of this region, providing an ideal balance between high stability and joint mobility, makes it very susceptible to injuries and their consequences. In particular, the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis tears, in particular its anteroinferior part, can be easily missed, as they usually occur in combination with other damage to the ankle joint. When left untreated, it can result in chronic instability, impaired joint function and may lead to early osteoarthritis development. This Technical Note describes a minimally invasive technique for anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament repair combined with dynamic syndesmosis stabilization to address chronic tibiofibular instability. Presented surgery is not technically demanding, reproducible, and may facilitate the healing process, shortening the recovery time.