Background

The ESSKA-AFAS ankle instability group presented in 2016 evidence-based guidelines for rehabilitation and return to activity after lateral ankle ligament repair. Early mobilization is considered an important element of postoperative rehabilitation. Patients have to be immobilized for approximately six weeks to protect the delicate repair. Lateral ankle ligament repair with suture tape augmentation results in greater strength compared with standard repairs and early mobilization proved to be successful in small sample size studies. Augmented surgery technique is getting increasingly popular. However, it is unknown which rehabilitation regimes are used. It is essential to establish a clear evidence-based guideline for rehabilitation after surgery.