[Diagnosis of ligament injuries of the upper ankle joint]

Solitary rupture of ligaments of the upper ankle mostly are caused by injury of supination, more seldom by injury of pronation. The anterior and posterior syndesmosis may be damaged by forced rotation of the foot, if the foot is fixed in 90 degrees or in dorsal extension. Diagnosis of rupture of the fibular ligaments bases on physical examination and is completed by x-ray examination: pressed x-ray pictures in two levels, whereby beside the angle between tibia and talus and beside the anterior displacement of foot the increasing distance between talus and the tip of the fibula is of special importance. It is given account of 390 own cases within one year. Damage of the deltoid ligament and the anterior and posterior syndesmosis is diagnosed by physical examination and pressed x-ray pictures respectively arthrography. The diagnosis of these injuries is the precondition for sufficient treatment.