Risk Factors for Osteochondral Lesions and Osteophytes in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: A Case Series of 1169 Patients

Abstract

Background: Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) and bony impingement are common secondary lesions of chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI), but the risk factors that predict OCLs and bony impingement are unknown. Purpose: To analyze the risk factors for the development of OCLs and osteophytes in patients with CLAI. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients diagnosed with CLAI at our institution from June 2007 to May 2018 were enrolled. The assessed potential risk factors were age, sex, postinjury duration, body mass index, injury side, and ligament injury type (isolated anterior talofibular ligament [ATFL] injury, isolated calcaneofibular ligament [CFL] injury, or concomitant ATFL and CFL injuries). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between these factors and the presence of OCLs and osteophytes. Results: A total of 1169 patients with CLAI were included; 436 patients (37%) had OCLs and 334 (31%) had osteophytes. The presence of OCLs was significantly associated with the presence of osteophytes (P