Injuries of the lateral ligaments of the ankle joint. Operative treatment and long-term results.

Between 1980 and 1984, 268 patients with recent ankle ligament ruptures were treated with primary surgical repair at the 2nd Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Vienna. The decision for immediate operative treatment was based on clinical findings as well as on a positive stress roentgenogram. Ligament ruptures were diagnosed if the talar tilt on the injured side exceeded that on the uninjured side by 5 degrees or more or if the ventral subluxability of the talus was more than 5 mm compared with the uninjured side. One hundred twenty-two patients were followed up for 2-6 years after operation; follow-up included physical examination as well as standardized and stress roentgenograms. Good results were obtained in 80% of cases, moderate results in 17%, and poor results in 3%. All of the poor results were due to persistent radiological instability and/or arthrotic joint degeneration. The incidence of infection was 1.5%.