[Surgical therapy of chronic instability of the upper ankle joint using periostal bridle-plasty]

We have used the technique of the autoplastic periostal bridle graft for operative treatment of chronic lateral instabilities of the ankle joint in 78 cases since 1978. Clinical and radiological follow-ups of 55 patients were made at two different intervals of time. In more than 90% of these there was no more evidence of instability and good or very good subjective results were obtained. The substitute ligament can be either fastened via drill holes or fixed to the bone with a screw. The autoplastic periostal bridle graft is a simple, anatomically appropriate and reliable procedure to restore the stability of the lateral ankle joint. Several renowned authors have also reported good results in the meantime.