We treated 43 cases of lateral ligamentous rupture operatively during a 7 year period.
We investigated the relationship between the position of the ruptured ligament, stress roentgenogram and arthrogram. Rupture of both the anterior talofibular and calcaneo-fibular ligaments was frequently seen in cases with large talar tilt angles and peroneal tenogram.
We evaluated 24 cases, by comparing pre-with post-operative stress rentgenograms and by using Furuya's scale for clinical assessment. The mean period of follow up was 2 years and 2 months. The mean talar tilt angle seen in pre-perative stress roentgenograms was 10.3 degrees and postoperatively this changed to 7.0 degrees. The anterior displacement distance changed from 8.1mm to 6.2mm. Both stress roentgenograms improved.
Clinical results were satisfactory in all cases, with a mean total score using Furuya's scale of 93.4 points.
With satisfactory results achieved surgically, we prefer operative to conservative treatment, due to the long-term possibility of instability remaining in conservatively managed cases.
