[Fresh fibular rupture of the lateral capsular ligaments - diagnosis - treatment - results (author's transl)].

The frequent injuries of the lateral capsular ligaments of the ankle joint should be diagnosed and differentiated by an accurate case report and by physical and standardised radiological examination. Precise judgement and an adequate treatment are necessary to avoid recurrent subluxation of the ankle joint, a possible factor in the eventual development of post-traumatic arthrosis deformans. A primary suture should be preferred in all cases of fresh and severe instability, especially in young patients and in patients who are active in sports. After healing of the soft tissue and active functional treatment of the ankle joint, a plaster cast bearing the full weight of the patient is used for another four weeks. Follow-up examinations of 150 patients of a group of 552 patients, treated from 1971-1980, showed good results in 92.3% of the patients.