Influence of activity level on the outcome of treatment of lateral ankle ligament rupture.

Background: Few studies of treatment of lateral ankle ligament rupture have given careful consideration to the activity levels of patients. In the present study, we investigated whether a patient's activity level influences the outcome of the treatment of lateral ankle ligament rupture and whether treatment should be determined according to activity level.

Methods: A total of 115 consecutive patients with lateral ankle ligament rupture were treated with short-term cast immobilization followed by functional bracing.

Prediction of three-dimensional contact stress and ligament tension in the ankle during stance determined from computational modeling.

Background: Our goal was to quantify and visualize the three-dimensional loading relationship between the ligaments and articular surfaces of the ankle to identify and determine the stabilizing roles of these anatomical structures during the stance phase of gait.

Materials And Methods: We applied discrete element analysis to computationally model the three-dimensional contact characteristics and ligament loading of the ankle joint. Physiologic loads approximating those at five positions in the stance phase of a normal walk cycle were applied.

Avulsion fracture of the lateral ankle ligament complex in severe inversion injury: incidence and clinical outcome.

Background: Avulsion fracture of the lateral ankle ligaments is often undetected on early radiographs. The epidemiology and treatment of such avulsion fractures have received much less attention than the epidemiology and treatment of rupture of these ligaments.

Hypothesis: The clinical characteristics of avulsion fracture are different from those of ligament rupture.

Pathoanatomy of posterior malleolar fractures of the ankle.

Background: The functional outcome following ankle fractures that involve a posterior malleolar fragment is often not satisfactory, and treatment of this type of fracture remains controversial. Thorough knowledge of the pathologic anatomy of the posterior malleolar fracture is essential for planning appropriate treatment. Thus, we conducted a computed tomographic study to clarify the pathologic anatomy of the posterior malleolar fracture.

New radiographic projections for avulsion fractures of the lateral malleolus.

We report two new radiographic projections for evaluating avulsion fractures at the lateral malleolus. We used seven freshly amputated legs with simulated avulsion fractures and radiopaque markers to assess their value. The projections allow accurate assessment of the displacement of fragments without superimposition, and also show whether they affect the anterior talofibular or the calcaneofibular ligament or both.