A recently published survey from this institution of the results of conservative treatment for severe injuries to the lateral ligaments of the ankle showed relatively disappointing results; only 58.8 per cent of patients were asymptomatic at follow-up. Influenced by this study, we utilized ankle arthrography, aimed at more exact diagnosis, and immediate open repair was done in selected patients (young, serious athletes). Over a two and one-half-year period, twenty-seven patients, an average of 19.7 years old, who had major injuries to the lateral ligaments of the ankle had immediate surgical repair. Greatly improved results were achieved.