# Evaluation of functional deficits using the Ankle‐GO™ score before and after arthroscopic anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction among patients suffering from chronic ankle instability

## TL;DR

This study shows that the Ankle-GO™ score improves after ankle ligament surgery, indicating better recovery and return to sports in patients with chronic ankle instability.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the Ankle-GO™ score in tracking recovery after ankle ligament reconstruction and predicting return to sports.

## Key findings

- Ankle-GO™ scores improved significantly at 5 months post-surgery, indicating better functional recovery.
- Patients with lower preoperative Ankle-GO™ scores were less likely to return to sports at their pre-injury level.
- The ALR-RSIScale showed the greatest improvement, suggesting enhanced psychological readiness for sports.

## Abstract

To evaluate the evolution of ankle deficits in patients suffering from chronic ankle instability (CAI) following an arthroscopic anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction (AALALR) based on Ankle‐GO™.

This prospective cohort (2022–2023) included patients suffering from CAI who underwent an AALALR. The primary outcome was the evolution of ankle deficits at 5 months postsurgery, assessed using the Ankle‐GO™, which includes the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), Figure‐of‐8 Test (F8T), Side Hop Test (SHT) and Single‐Leg Stance Test (SLS), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (Foot and Ankle Ability Measure—Activity of Daily Living [FAAM‐ADL] and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure—Sport [FAAM‐Sport]) and the Ankle Ligament Reconstruction–Return to Sport after Injury (ALR‐RSI) scale. Secondary outcome was the return to sports (RTS). Factors influencing lower postoperative Ankle‐GOTM were evaluated.

Fifty patients (mean age 29.8 ± 11.1 years) were included. The Ankle‐GO™ score increased significantly from 8.2 ± 4.7 to 13.9 ± 5.4 at 5 months postoperatively (p < 0.01; r = 0.80). Among the individual components, ALR‐RSI showed the greatest improvement, rising from 28.0% to 69.0% (p < 0.01; r = 0.86), followed by FAAM‐Sport (56.5%–80.1%; p < 0.01; r = 0.71). The FAAM‐ADL score increased significantly from 82.4% to 91.8% (p < 0.01). The F8T did not improve significantly (p > 0.05). At 5 months, 35 patients (70.0%) had returned to sport, although only 11 (31.4%) had resumed at their pre‐injury level. Preoperative Ankle‐GO™ was lower in patients not returning to sport (6.4 vs. 9.1; p = 0.04).

This short‐term study confirmed that the Ankle‐GO™ score effectively tracks recovery following AALALR. The score reflects improvements in both static and dynamic stability as well as psychological readiness. Additionally, preoperative scores were found to predict a patient's ability to RTS.

Level II, prospective cohort study.