[Results of the surgical treatment of chronic external laxity of the ankle by resetting capsular ligamentous tension].

The authors review 12 patients operated for tibio-tarsal instability and summarize the effects of ligamentous sections of the capsular-ligamentous plane of the lateral part of the ankle and the importance of the anterior peroneotalar fascia. In cases of tibio-tarsal instability, the authors propose a lateral ligamentous re-tension plasty with trans-osseous reinsertion and they analyse the results of this operation in a series of 13 operated ankles which were followed clinically and radiologically. The essential criterion of evaluation was a return to the same level of sports activity (7 very good results, 3 good results, 2 moderate results and one failure). The overall favourable results suggest that this technique can be indicated in a number of rare cases: sportsmen with significant disability after failure of treatment by proprioceptive re-education. In conclusion, the authors stress the value of preventative treatment of sprained ankles, which should prevent the development of instability.