Fourteen athletes were retrospectively evaluated with physical examination, and Tegner, Good and AOFAS scales; moreover, a 2-view stress, side-to-side X-ray, was performed.
All patients were followed-up at a mean of 10.8 years. No one reported further ankle sprains. Mean Good scale value decreased from 3.7 to 1.6, while the Tegner scale decreased from 6.8 to 5.1; the mean AOFAS score was 92.2. Mean sagittal-plane ROM was 62.3¡ã (4.9¡ã S/S difference), while mean coronal-plane ROM was 25.5¡ã (3.8¡ã S/S difference). Mean X-ray talar tilt angle was 4.5¡ã (0.1¡ã S/S difference), while mean anterior drawer test angle was 5.4 mm (0.5 mm S/S difference).
The modified Watson-Jones procedure seems to be a reliable technique in providing satisfactory mid- to long-term clinical and radiological results.