Evans' procedure in the treatment of chronic instability of the ankle

During the period 1979-1983, 34 patients were treated for chronic instability of the ankle which was confirmed by stress radiography, using Evans' procedure. Of the injuries, 65 per cent were sustained at sport. A feeling of instability was the main presenting symptom (85 per cent). All the patients were examined clinically and with stress radiography at follow-up. The results were regarded as good in 27 cases (80 per cent), fair in five (14 per cent) and poor in two cases. None of the patients found the limitation of subtalar inversion disturbing. In the radiographic examination using a Cheuba stress-producing device, the magnitude of anterior drawer instability as well as the talar tilt was significantly reduced (P less than 0.001).