Comparison of Arthroscopic and Open Repair Outcomes for Lateral Ankle Ligament Injuries: A Literature Review

Abstract

Lateral ankle ligament injury is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, especially in athletes and physically active individuals. If not treated properly, these injuries can lead to chronic instability that impacts the biomechanics of the ankle as well as increasing the risk of recurrent injuries. The two main methods used in the repair of these injuries are arthroscopic procedures and open surgery. Although both techniques have been widely used, there is still debate about their effectiveness in the long term. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes between arthroscopic procedures and open surgery in the repair of lateral ankle ligament injuries, by analyzing the biomechanical and functional factors that influence the success of both methods. The study also evaluated the advantages and limitations of each technique in terms of patient recovery, postoperative pain levels, and the risk of long-term complications. The method used in this study is a literature review from various academic sources, including medical journals and scientific articles from leading databases in the last ten years. The results of the study showed that the arthroscopy procedure has advantages in faster recovery, lower postoperative pain, and fewer complications compared to the open method. However, open surgery remains the top choice for complex instability cases that require more extensive structural reconstruction. Based on the results of this study, the selection of the method of repairing lateral ankle ligament injury should be adjusted to the patient's clinical condition and expected functional goals.