Chronic lateral ligament instability of the ankle--bilateral repair using flexible carbon fibre in an international sportsman.

The ankle is a common site of sport injuries. Inversion strains at the ankle joint are a frequent occurrence producing stress on the lateral ligament. The resulting pathology may vary from a slight tear of the ligament to complete disruption of both the talo-fibular and calcaneo-fibular ligaments. Acute ruptures of the lateral ligament should be treated by primary suture (Anderson, K. J. and Le Cocq, J. F., 1954; Ruth, C. J., 1961). Complete acute disruption of the lateral ligament however is uncommon in clinical practice and the more common situation is one of repeated strains to the lateral ligament resulting in chronic instability.