Treatment of Chronic Lateral Instability of the Ankle with the Colville Technique: a Prospective Analysis with Minimum Five Years of Follow-up

Objectives: This study aims to prospectively analyze of the long-term results of the Colville's technique for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instabilities.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-eight ankles of 28 male patients (mean age 24.6 years; range 20 to 35 years) which were treated using Colville's technique were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 76.1 months (range 60 to 106 months). Ankle instability, ankle functions and outcomes in the last visit were assessed and statistically compared. Stress radiographs with the TELOS device were repeated at six-months and five-years after surgery and compared with the stability of the uninjured ankle.

Results: Twenty-three of the results were excellent and five were good according to the criteria of Chrisman and Snook. All patients returned to normal daily activity levels at an average of eight months following surgery. Radiographic analysis revealed the significant preservation of stability at least five years after surgery with no sign of arthritis. The difference between preoperative and sixth-months postoperative values of both the talar tilt and the anterior draw tests were found statistically significant, indicating significant correction of the laxity. On contrary, difference between sixth months and five year values were not statistically significant, indicating the preservation of the correction.

Conclusion: Anatomical augmented reconstruction procedure of Colville's is a long-lasting and good alternative compared to other more complex techniques of reconstruction with minimum long-term complications.