A Randomized Comparison Between Anterior Talofibular Ligament Repair Using Broström Operation with and without an Internal Brace.

The aim of the study was to compare the intermediate-term (>24 months) clinical outcomes between anterior talofibular ligament repair using Broström operation with and without an internal brace. Nineteen patients underwent surgery using an arthroscopic traditional Broström repair with an internal brace technique (IB) and Eighteen patients underwent surgery using an arthroscopic traditional Broström repair without an internal brace technique (TB) . All patients were evaluated clinically using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). According to FAAM, sports activity scores of TB and IB groups were 83.33 ± 5.66 and 90.63 ± 6.21 at the final follow-up (p = .02). There were no significant differences in preoperative and postoperative stress radiographs between the two groups. Total medical expense was more in the IB group (p < .001). It also has a significant superiority in the terms of FAAM scores at sports activity. However, there was no difference during daily life.