ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study assessed the average time to return to training and official game participation after modified Broström operation (MBO) in elite athletes. METHODS: Sixty athletes diagnosed with lateral ankle instability underwent MBO from October 2011 to December 2013. Their average age was 19.3 years, and the average follow-up time was 28.8 months. We measured the time sequence of three phases of rehabilitation: start of personal training, start of team training, and start of the first official game after recovery. Patients were divided into an early return to play (RTP) group and late RTP group. The groups were compared to identify possible risk factors affecting the RTP time. RESULTS: The mean length of time to return to personal training was 1.9 months, return to team training was 2.9 months, and return to competitive play was 3.9 months. There were no significant differences of any variables including age, sex, body mass index, level of sports, grade of instability, presence of os subfibulare, and preoperative functional score between the early RTP and late RTP groups. CONCLUSIONS: The RTP was 83.3% at 4 months after lateral ankle ligament repair and 100% at 8 months postoperatively. The results provide reference data for orthopedic surgeons in evaluating surgical results and informing patients about expectations after surgery in terms of performance level and timing of return to sports.