[Therapy and results of fresh lateral instability of the upper ankle joint]

During a retrospective study we especially examined the late outcome in therapy of injuries of the lateral capsula ligament-lesions in 210 patients. In addition we scrutinized the literature on this subject within the last 60 years, concerning the results of different therapy methods were checked. 203 collective writings on this subject, 23,279 patients and our own results achieved in the BG Accident Hospital in Murnau (Germany) all added up to 23,389 patients. We did not only observe the subjective opinion regarding the outcome of the therapy but also the socio-economic factors, such as the duration of incapability to work and do sports. Emphasis was laid on the remaining complaints: reduction of movement, swelling, pain during stress and instability (in the sense of recurring injuries). The results of this thesis show the dependence of the therapy in respect to the age of the patient. So we have developed a different therapy-concept for those under age of 30 and for those over the age of 30 years.