The American journal of sports medicine
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We wanted to use biomechanical testing in a cadaveric model to compare the Broström repair, the Watson-Jones reconstruction, and a new anatomic reconstruction method. Eight specimens were held in a specially designed testing apparatus in which the ankle position (dorsiflexion-plantar flexion and supination-pronation) could be varied in a controlled manner. Testing was done with intact ligaments and was repeated after sectioning of the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament and after a Broström repair, a Watson-Jones reconstruction, and a new anatomic reconstruction were performed. ⋯ The increase in ankle joint laxity observed after sectioning of both the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments was significantly reduced by the three reconstructive techniques, although not always to the level of the intact ankle. Joint motion was restricted after the Watson-Jones procedure compared with that in the intact ankle. Unlike the Watson-Jones procedure, the ligament or graft force patterns observed during loading after the Broström repair and the new anatomic technique resembled those observed in the intact ankle.