[Results following surgical treatment of ligament ruptures of the ankle joint in children].

A follow-up study was done in 49 children one to five years after surgical repair of traumatic rupture of the fibular ligaments of the ankle joint. Surgery has been performed when the unstable ankle joint showed radiologically a difference in the supinatory subluxation of more than 7 degrees in comparison to the opposite side. 30 children were free of complaints and showed identical stability of both ankle joints. Further eleven patients had minor complaints but the ankle joints were stable, clinically and radiologically. Four patients without complaints had a slightly differing weakness of the ankle joint. Further four patients had substantial complaints. Three of them also showed radiologically instability of the joint. Ruptures of the fibular ligament in childhood are not infrequent. Early operative treatment obviously gives better results when compared with those of conservative plaster cast therapy. The radiologically confirmed difference in supinatory subluxation of the traumatised ankle joint in comparison to the other side provides an excellent parameter for the indication to surgery.