Purpose
The aim of this study was to review the outcome of the Evans technique in patients with chronic lateral ankle–ligament instability.
Patients and methods
Between August 2009 and June 2012 a prospective study was conducted on 14 patients between 15 and 50 years of age (mean: 26.6 years) with chronic lateral instability who underwent the Evans technique and followed up for 2 years. Patients were assessed postoperatively using the Kaikkonen ankle scoring scale. Stress radiographs were also obtained to evaluate talar tilt and anterior drawer.
Results
The results were good to excellent in 79% of the 14 patients, fair in 14%, and poor in 7% of patients. Clinical examination showed an anterior drawer test results were equal to or less than that on the unaffected side in 75% of patients. Stress radiographs showed a mean anterior drawer of 7.0±1.8 mm and a mean talar tilt of 4.8 ± 3.8°.
Conclusion
The Evans reconstruction procedure is a valuable option in treating recurrent and complex chronic lateral ankle instability and provides good ankle instability, particularly when the original, frayed ligaments cannot be easily identified.