[Clinical and roentgenologic 5 year follow-up of modified Evans-plasty in chronic lateral instability of the ankle joint].

Between 1984 and 1989, 108 patients who had chronic lateral instability of the ankle were treated with a modified Evans tenodesis, in which the anterior half of the peroneus brevis tendon was used for reconstruction. Follow up was possible by questionnaire in 75 patients and by clinical examination in 46, after 29-122 months (mean 68 months). Subjectively excellent or good results were achieved in 62 patients (82.6%) while 9 (12%) had fair results and 4 (5.4%) a poor outcome. Pain during physical activity was reported by 27 patients (35%), loss of inversion by 34 (45%) and slight instability by 31 (41%). The X-ray films at follow-up revealed more signs of arthrosis than had been present preoperatively. The stress tests showed an anterior drawer of 7.8 mm preoperatively and 7.0 mm postoperatively (p = 0.03); talar tilt was improved from 7.7 degrees to 4.5 degrees (p < or = 0.01). The outcome reported by the patients and the objective results of the clinical and radiological examinations were at odds. Pain, instability and osteophyte formation after the operation were so frequent because the talus was not fixed when the Evans reconstruction was implemented. Therefore, we suggest that this method should not be used in patients with a high activity level.