RF Safe

Arthroscopic capsular shrinkage for chronic ankle instability with thermal radiofrequency: prospective multicenter trial.

Orthopedics · 2008 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2785

In 39 surgically treated patients followed up to 9 months, mechanical stability showed no clinically relevant improvement, while most secondary outcomes (symptoms, range of motion, and functional scores) showed substantial and statistically significant improv…

Study snapshot

PublicationOrthopedics · 2008
Study typeother
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The study was designed as a prospective multicenter longitudinal trial. Adult patients with symptomatic mechanical chronic ankle instability, not improving with conservative therapy, were included and underwent surgery. Primary outcome measures were radiological and manually tested mechanical laxity. Secondary outcome measures were number of complications, reoperations and symptoms, range of motion, and functional (ankle) scores (Karlsson and SF-36 score). The latest follow-up was 9 months for each patient. Thirty-nine patients underwent surgery (19 male patients; 16 right ankles; median age, 27 years). Mechanical stability showed no clinically relevant improvement whereas most secondary outcome measures showed a substantial and statistically significant improvement. One surgery-related complication occurred without functional consequences, and 3 patients underwent a secondary procedure. One was considered a treatment failure, requiring an open anatomic ligament reconstruction. The second patient sustained a severe supination trauma by starting intensive training too early, also requiring an open anatomic reconstruction. The third patient had posterior ankle pain, which was successfully treated by posterior ankle arthroscopy. Arthroscopic thermal capsular shrinkage of the ankle is a safe procedure, leading to resolution of symptoms in the majority of patients with chronic ankle instability.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother
Effect directionmixed
PopulationAdult patients with symptomatic mechanical chronic ankle instability not improving with conservative therapy
Sample size39
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 39 surgically treated patients followed up to 9 months, mechanical stability showed no clinically relevant improvement, while most secondary outcomes (symptoms, range of motion, and functional scores) showed substantial and statistically significant improvement. One surgery-related complication occurred without functional consequences, and 3 patients underwent a secondary procedure (including one considered treatment failure requiring open ligament reconstruction).

Outcomes measured

  • Radiological mechanical laxity
  • Manually tested mechanical laxity
  • Complications
  • Reoperations/secondary procedures
  • Symptoms
  • Range of motion
  • Functional ankle scores (Karlsson score)
  • SF-36 score

Limitations

  • Follow-up limited to 9 months
  • Mechanical stability (primary outcome) did not show clinically relevant improvement
  • No control/comparator described in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "thermal radiofrequency (arthroscopic capsular shrinkage)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult patients with symptomatic mechanical chronic ankle instability not improving with conservative therapy",
  "sample_size": 39,
  "outcomes": [
    "Radiological mechanical laxity",
    "Manually tested mechanical laxity",
    "Complications",
    "Reoperations/secondary procedures",
    "Symptoms",
    "Range of motion",
    "Functional ankle scores (Karlsson score)",
    "SF-36 score"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 39 surgically treated patients followed up to 9 months, mechanical stability showed no clinically relevant improvement, while most secondary outcomes (symptoms, range of motion, and functional scores) showed substantial and statistically significant improvement. One surgery-related complication occurred without functional consequences, and 3 patients underwent a secondary procedure (including one considered treatment failure requiring open ligament reconstruction).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Follow-up limited to 9 months",
    "Mechanical stability (primary outcome) did not show clinically relevant improvement",
    "No control/comparator described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ankle instability",
    "arthroscopy",
    "capsular shrinkage",
    "thermal radiofrequency",
    "prospective multicenter trial",
    "mechanical laxity",
    "Karlsson score",
    "SF-36"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: 19292383

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