Objective        To investigate the surgical techniques

clinical efficacy and postoperative complications of arthroscopic reconstruction for chronic avulsion fracture of lateral malleolus.       Methods      Clinical data of 14 ankles treated with arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction with autograft of semitendinosus tendon in our department from January to November 2013 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were 6 males and 8 females

with a mean age of 30.5 (ranging from 18 to 40). Average follow-up was 12 months (range

8-18 months). The autograft of semitendinosus tendon was obtained through a small incision in the anterial tibialis. Arthroscopic interventions included preparation of bone trough in the lateral side of the fibula

fixation of a suture anchor

and fixation of bioabsorbable interference screw in the lateral side of the talus. Patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot ankle score and Telos stress radiography.       Results      In the cohort

the mean AOFAS hindfoot ankle score was increased from 73.4±16.4 preoperatively to 95.7±6.1 at the end of follow-up (P0.01). None of the patients complained of postoperative ankle instability

or pain or decreased muscle strength in the donor site. Mean postoperative Telos stress A-P distance was 2.8±0.6 mm

significantly improved when compared to the mean preoperative distance of11.4±3.1 mm (P0.01).       Conclusion      Arthroscopic ligament reconstruction for chronic avulsion fracture of lateral malleolus using semitendinosus autograft obviously improves chronic ankle instability and causes no obvious complication.