N. Wulker et al., TREATMENT MODALITIES FOR TEARS OF THE LAT ERAL ANKLE LIGAMENTS, Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Ihre Grenzgebiete, 134(2), 1996, pp. 149-154
The treatment of lateral ankle ligament tears has been by conservative
and by operative means. 483 patients treated by a number of orthopaed
ic surgeons, general surgeons and trauma surgeons in Germany over a 2
1/2 year period were questioned one year after the injury. Treatment h
ad been conservatively in 325 patients (tape bandage, elastic bandage,
plaster cast, ankle brace, Aircast brace, others) and operatively in
158 patients (primary ligament repair, ligament reconstruction). A 100
point subjective ankle score was used for the 420 patients who respon
ded. The mean score was 90.5 points. The average score of all patients
undergoing surgery was 88.2 points, the mean score of all conservativ
ely treated patients was 91.7 points. However, instability on stress r
adiographs after the injury was less in the conservative group. There
was no clear correlation between the initial radiographic instability
and the follow-up result. Young patients did better than older patient
s. The authors recommend conservative, early functional treatment for
lateral ankle ligament tears.