Impact of preoperative anxiety and depressive symptoms on clinical outcomes of anterior talofibular ligament reconstruction surgery

Patients with preoperative anxiety/depressive symptoms demonstrated worse clinical evaluations both preoperatively and at follow-up compared to those without such symptoms. However, both groups experienced comparable improvements in pain and function, while patients with preoperative psychological symptoms showed greater mental health improvement. These findings suggest that management of preoperative anxiety and depression may improve surgical outcomes in patients undergoing ATFL repair.