Abstract des Autors

The isolated rupture of the syndesmosis is a rare injury and thus at first very often overlooked. The functional reconstruction of this outdated injury has not been possible so far because of the absence of local tissue for an adequate substitute. A new type of alloplastic ligament - the Stryker-Dacron-Ligament - now permits the efficient reconstruction of a previous syndesmosis rupture. The paper presents a new method of operation where the substituting ligament is inserted in a certain curved course into the joint which then permits all biomechanically required motions of the malleolus externus. Furthermore, the significant clinical signs which are typical for a previous rupture of the syndesmosis are systematically outlined. The results were proven by a follow-up study in which the ability of free knee motions of several patients after operation was investigated via x-ray-scanning. By applying the depicted innovative method of operation 27 patients have been successfully treated. All patients are again able to undertake physical activities in work or sports as they had done before the injury. Verf.-Referat