Arthroscopic surgery for treating ankle instability is increasingly popular. Several studies showed similar functional outcomes to those seen after open surgery, with no increase in complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the return-to-sports (RTS) rate and time after arthroscopic surgery to treat chronic lateral ankle instability.

The rate and time of RTS are satisfactory after arthroscopic surgery to treat chronic lateral ankle instability.

This single-centre retrospective study included patients managed arthroscopically for chronic lateral ankle instability, with no other procedures, between February 2014 and May 2017. We evaluated the time and rate of RTS, as well as factors associated with RTS such as motivation, athletic level before surgery and whether the injury was work-related. Follow-up was at least 1 year.

Of the 40 included patients, 30 (75%) returned to their main sport, after a median of 6 months. Moreover, 22 (55%) patients resumed their main sport at the same or a higher level within 12 months after surgery, their median postoperative follow-up being 29 months (range, 13–61). The AOFAS score improved significantly, from 67 (30–90) before surgery to 88.5 (39–100) at last follow-up (p<0.001). The numerical pain score decreased significantly between these two timepoints, from 6 (0–10) to 1 (0–10) (p<0.001). By multivariate analysis, a high level of motivation before surgery was the main factor significantly associated with RTS at the same or a higher level within 12 months after surgery (odds ratio, 16.47; 95%CI, 3.33–81.20; p=0.007). Persistent pain was more common in patients with work-related injuries (p=0.016).

At 12 months, the RTS rate was 75% overall, with 55% of patients returning to the same or a higher level. Median time to RTS was 6 months (4–8). Both the rate of and the time to RTS were independently associated with greater preoperative motivation.

IV, retrospective observational cohort study.