ANKLE DISLOCATION

From 1980 to 1991, 14 patients with pure ankle dislocation unassociate d with fracture were identified. All patients were young adults (18-41 years of age) with a male preponderance (11 of 14). The cause of inju ry in nine of the 14 cases was a motor vehicle accident and in the rem ainder, sporting events or fall from a height. Thirteen of the 14 inju ries were open, and 12 patients underwent lateral ligamentous repair. Twelve of the 14 patients were available for follow-up, which ranged f rom 15 to 122 months. Two patients had poor results; the remainder (10 of 12) had good and excellent results. Interestingly, no patient had signs or symptoms of instability. One patient required immediate below -the-knee amputation for open dislocation associated with avulsion of soft tissue and neurovascular structures.