Anatomical reconstruction of ruptured lateral ligaments of upper ankle joint.
OBJECTIVE
It seems that a certain patient population after conservatively treated ankle distorsions later develops chronic symptoms such as instability, pain and swelling.


METHODS
The present study comprised 20 such patients, who underwent an anatomical reconstruction of ruptured ankle ligament(s) (FC, FTA and/or FTP). Patients were followed in average for 22 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Sixteen of them had excellent or good results. Clinically 5 and radiologically 4 patients had instability of the operatively treated ankle joint at the follow-up. Instability and subjective patient satisfaction did not correlate at all.


CONCLUSIONS
Anatomical reconstruction of ruptured ankle ligaments in chronic posttraumatic instability syndrome is technically possible to perform in almost all cases. The present method of anatomical ligament reconstruction usually results in good stability, diminishes symptoms and in most cases leads into a normal functional capacity.
Lassus
J
J
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. jan.lassus@hus.fi
Tulikoura
I
I
Konttinen
Y T
YT
Santavirta
S
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology; D017844:Lateral Ligament, Ankle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012421:Rupture