Persistent Pain After Operative Treatment for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Byung-Hyun Ahn,1 Byung-Ki Cho1,2 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea; 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South KoreaCorrespondence: Byung-Ki ChoDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chungbuk National University Hospital, 62 Gaesin-dong, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 28644, South KoreaTel +82-43-269-6077Fax +82-43-274-8719Email titanick25@naver.comAbstract: A high frequency of associated injuries is seen in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. Comorbidities include intraarticular pathologies (osteochondral lesion, soft tissue or bony impingement syndrome, loose body, synovitis, etc.), peroneal tendon pathologies, neural injuries, and other extraarticular pathologies. Surgeons should have a high index of suspicion for these associated pathologies before operative intervention, correlate with clinical findings, and plan the treatment. Despite the restoration of ankle stability following ligament repair or reconstruction surgery, postoperative residual pain, which can negatively affect clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, is highly prevalent (13– 35%). The aim of this review was to discuss the causes of persistent pain after operative treatment for chronic lateral ankle instability.Keywords: ankle, chronic lateral instability, operative treatment, persistent pain