Single‐leg postural equilibrium test

The ability to balance on one leg was tested in 29 patients with chronic posttraumatic functional instability of the ankle joint prior to operative exploration of the lateral ligaments of the ankle joint. The results were recorded in seconds and were compared with a control group without functional instability. Patients with ruptured calcaneofibular ligament had a significantly reduced test result compared with patients with uninjured calcaneofibular ligament. Isolated damage to the anterior talofibular ligament did not affect the test result. The patients had a significantly reduced test result on the affected leg, as compared with the unaffected leg and the control group. The single‐leg postural equilibrium test is a simple clinical test that is easily used in the objective evaluation of functional instability of the ankle. In chronic functional and mechanical instability, this test seems useful in differentiating between injured and uninjured calcaneofibular ligament.