The outcome of nonoperated patients with chronic lateral instability of the ankle: a 20-year follow-up study.

Thirty-seven patients conservatively treated because of chronic lateral instability of the ankle were studied 18 to 23 years after their index visit. Twenty-two patients, 12 with unilateral and 10 with bilateral symptoms (32 of 49 ankles), still suffered from instability, but only three considered further treatment. Degenerative changes were observed in six of 46 radiographically examined ankles, with no correlation to age or persistent instability.