High Ankle Sprains and Syndesmotic Injuries in Athletes. Issue 11 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hunt, Kenneth J.; Phisitkul, Phinit; Pirolo, Joseph; Amendola, Annunziato
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Volume 23:Issue 11(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: ankle injuries -- syndesmosis -- suture button -- syndesmotic screws -- pronation -- external rotation -- stress radiography -- ankle arthroscopy; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Joint Diseases -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery; Orthopedics; Periodicals; 616.7005
• DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-13-00135
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1067-151X

Abstract

Abstract : Treatment of athletes with ligamentous injuries of the tibiofibular syndesmosis can be problematic. The paucity of historic data on this topic has resulted in a lack of clear guidelines to aid in imaging and diagnosing the injury, assessing injury severity, and making management decisions. In recent years, research on this topic has included an abundance of epidemiologic, clinical, and basic science investigations of syndesmotic injuries that are purely ligamentous or associated with ankle fracture. Several classification systems can be used to classify ligamentous injury to the syndesmosis. These systems integrate clinical and radiographic findings but do not address the location of the injury or its severity. Injury to the syndesmosis can be purely ligamentous; however, many unstable syndesmotic injuries are associated with fractures. Nonsurgical management can be used for stable ligamentous injuries without frank diastasis, but surgical management, including screw or suture-button fixation, is indicated for fractures with unstable syndesmotic injuries.