syndesmotic ankle sprain


syndesmotic ankle sprain

Damage to the ligamentous structures of the distal tibiofibular syndesmotic joint, resulting from dorsiflexion or external rotation of the talus within the ankle mortise, or both, which in turn causes spreading of the joint. The distal tibiofibular syndesmosis is formed by the anterior tibiofibular ligament, the interosseous membrane, and the posterior tibiofibular ligament. Synonym: high ankle sprain

Etiology

The rate of syndesmotic ankle sprains may be increased when athletes are participating on artificial surfaces, because of the increased friction between the shoe and playing surface.

Symptoms

Patients may describe pain along the fibula, just superior to the lateral malleolus, that worsens during dorsiflexion or external rotation of the talus, or both.

See also: sprain