[Sonographic findings in lateral ligament lesions of the upper ankle joint following conservative and operative therapy]. / Sonographische Befunde bei lateralen Bandläsionen des oberen Sprunggelenkes nach konservativer und operativer Therapie.

72 patients with injury of the ankle joint were examined with ultrasound after therapy. Sonographic findings were assessed by plain x-ray films and stress views. In 39 patients an injury of the lateral ligament was treated by surgery and in 33 patients without surgery. 40 patients showed a scar of the lateral ligaments. Patients treated without surgery and showing a scar in ultrasound demonstrated a smaller tilt of the talus in stress views than patients without scars. Measurement of stability was not possible. In conclusion, sonography is a valuable tool in examining the ankle joint after therapy. With regard to stability, stress films cannot be replaced by sonography.