[Are fractures of the upper ankle joint to be treated conservatively? (author's transl)].

By means of 796 fractures of the upper ankle-joint, the treatment and results of the therapy according to the conservative-viewpoints are going to be discussed. Comparing the results after operative treatment, conservative therapy today is only justified with fractures of th type A and B under the presumption that there is no subluxation of the talus of the latter mentioned. Bimalleolar fractures of the type A can also be treated conservatively with good results if the inner-ankle fracture has not resulted in the destruction of the ankle-fork. All other fractures should have open reduction and internal fixation. Special attention shall be paid to the reconstruction of the complex fibula-syndesmosis.