Everyone Is Watching

Imagine you have the first overall draft pick in the upcoming draft, and you’re eyeing an athlete with a history of chronic ankle instability. The stakes are high: the success of the franchise, the athlete’s career, and your reputation all hinge on making the right call.

To augment or not?

Tissue imbrication using a Brostrom repair has been challenged by strong evidence. Porter et al. provided level one evidence indicating that an augmented Brostrom repair yields better outcomes at one, two, and five years. Kulwin et al. offered level two data showing that athletes can return to rehab and eventually resume sports more quickly with augmentation.

Material matters

Material choices are influenced by strength, biology, and physiology. Arthrex (InternalBrace) and new entrant Medline (SLA) lead in strength. Conmed’s collagen scaffold (BioBrace) addresses biological needs, while Stryker (Artelon) offer the most physiologic stress and strain characteristics.