Aims Lateral ankle ligament instability is a common and often debilitating condition affecting service personnel. This study aimed to assess the outcome of surgical repair utilising a modified Broström-Gould technique for patients in whom conservative therapies had failed.

Methods Military patients who underwent ankle surgery at Frimley Park Hospital between 2011-2016 were identified. Patients were contacted and asked to complete a retrospective Visual Analogue Score and Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ). DMICP data were reviewed to identify return to fitness.

Results 109 military patients underwent surgery during this period, of whom 46 were contactable and completed the questionnaires. The median satisfaction score was 9/10, with 89% acknowledging that they would have the same procedure again. The mean increase in stability was 3 to 8 (out of 10), p<0.005. 66% of respondents were still serving in the armed forces, but poor residual ankle function contributed to 23% leaving the military. Of those remaining in service, 50% had returned to a medically fully deployable status at an average of 9.9 months from the date of surgery.

Conclusions This study has defined outcomes from ankle ligament repair that should help clinicians to manage the expectations of patients referred for this type of surgery.