How long does it take to recover from an ankle syndesmosis injury?
It is vital to remember that an ankle syndesmosis injury is more complex than a simple ankle sprain. The healing time is at least twice as long, and getting back to normal activity is usually a more gradual process. For two to four weeks after surgery, patients usually wear an ankle splint and avoid placing weight down when standing or walking.
How long does it take for a syndesmotic sprain to heal?
Whether you need surgery or not, severe syndesmotic sprains are usually followed by physical therapy. The focus is on healing and regaining full range of motion and normal strength. Full recovery may take as long as 2 to 6 months. Misdiagnosis or lack of the proper treatment can lead to long term instability of the ankle and degenerative arthritis.
How serious is a syndesmosis sprain?
When you injure the syndesmosis ligaments, it’s called a high ankle sprain. The seriousness of the sprain depends on the extent of the tear. This type of injury usually involves a lot of force, so it’s often accompanied by injuries to other ligaments, tendons, or bones. It’s not unusual to have a syndesmosis sprain with one or more bone fractures.
What is the best treatment for a syndesmosis sprain?
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are the first steps following an ankle injury. After that, treatment depends on the specifics of the injury. Recovery time following syndesmosis sprain can take twice as long as recovery from other ankle sprains.
How long after syndesmosis surgery can I walk?
Post-operative Care Following Syndesmosis with TightRope Fixation. The splint is worn for a period of 6-12 weeks during which time you must not bear any weight on the leg. After this period, the foot is placed in a walking boot with minimal weight-bearing and gentle ankle movements.
Can you walk on a syndesmosis injury?
What to expect during recovery. Following surgery, you may need a walking boot or crutches while you heal. Whether you need surgery or not, severe syndesmotic sprains are usually followed by physical therapy. The focus is on healing and regaining full range of motion and normal strength.
What does a syndesmosis injury feel like?
What does a syndesmosis injury feel like? A syndesmosis injury will present as pain through the lower leg, just above the ankles. It is a pain that does not settle with rest and can feel like a cramping sensation or dull ache. It tends to also get worse with exercise or sport.
How do you treat a syndesmosis injury?
Acute instability of the syndesmosis must be treated surgically by placing a syndesmotic screw or a suture button. Sometimes AITFL repair is all that is needed.
Can you recover from syndesmosis?
Evidence suggests that syndesmosis sprains typically require 6 to 8 weeks for recovery, but this is variable. Chronic pain, instability, and functional limitations are common after syndesmosis sprains.
Is syndesmosis a sprained ankle?
A syndesmotic ankle sprain is an injury to one or more of the ligaments comprising the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis; it is often referred to as a "high ankle sprain." Compared with the more common lateral ankle sprain, the high ankle sprain causes pain more proximally, just above the ankle joint, and is associated ...
Do I need surgery for syndesmosis?
Because of a disrupted, unstable syndesmosis, the tibia and fibula are not held together properly, which makes for a very unstable ankle joint that is prone to chronic disability and arthritis – if not repaired. Thus, in an ankle fracture with an unstable syndesmosis, surgery is typically recommended.
Where do you feel pain with syndesmosis?
An ankle syndesmosis injury is a common cause of pain at the front (anterior) of your ankle. This injury is also referred to as a high ankle sprain as it affects the ligaments above the ankle joint.
What is the fastest way to heal a high ankle sprain?
TreatmentRest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake. ... Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ... Elevation.
Is a high ankle sprain worse than a break?
A broken ankle is a more severe injury than a sprained ankle. With a clean break that doesn't need surgery, recovery can take around 6 to 8 weeks. If you need surgery, recovery will take longer.
Why do high ankle sprains take longer to heal?
These ligaments heal reliably without any long-term problems if the entire syndesmosis has not been torn. These ligament injuries take longer to heal than typical low ankle sprains.
Is it OK to walk on a high ankle sprain?
You'll need to keep weight off your injured ankle and tape or splint the injured area. Sometimes, high ankle sprains can mean you need to use crutches or wear a boot that allows you to walk on your foot while also properly positioning the ankle and foot for healing.
How do you test for syndesmosis injury?
To perform the squeeze test, place a heel of each hand just proximal to the midpoint of the calf, and compress the tibia and fibula by squeezing in an anteromedial to posterolateral direction. A positive test is marked by reproduction of pain in the distal syndesmosis, just above the ankle joint.
Where do you feel pain with syndesmosis?
An ankle syndesmosis injury is a common cause of pain at the front (anterior) of your ankle. This injury is also referred to as a high ankle sprain as it affects the ligaments above the ankle joint.
How do you know if you need surgery for syndesmosis?
If there is an unstable joint, surgery is typically necessary to provide stability. If the syndesmosis is found to be stable, it usually will not require surgical management. If you have other medical conditions that make surgery too risky for your health, your surgeon may recommend non-surgical treatment.
How is syndesmosis injury diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis The diagnosis of syndesmosis injury is based on injury pattern, thorough physical examination, and radiographic findings. When no fracture is present, clinical findings will include ankle pain, tenderness directly over the anterior syndesmosis, and positive squeeze and external rotation tests.
What is the function of syndesmosis?
The syndesmosis is a fibrous tissue joining the shin bone with the fibular its primary role is to aid stability around the distal part of the ankle, as well as providing shock absorption when we run and jump. The syndesmosis is made up of 4 ligaments and is fundamental for good ankle function.
How long does it take to recover from a sprained ankle?
Higher grade sprains involving large seperation will need a surgical review and prolonged immobilisation this can increase the recovery to 3-6 months.
Can you miss a syndesmosis injury?
It’s important you do not miss or confu se a syndesmosis injury with a normal ankle sprain. Early rehabilitation differs greatly and can lead to chronic issues if not managed appropriately. The key things to remember if questioning a syndesmosis: The mechanism of injury: Hyper-dorsiflexion or forceful external rotation.
What is syndesmosis injury?
An ankle syndesmosis injury involves a sprain of one or more of the ligaments that support the ankle syndesmosis. A ligament is made up of multiple strands of connective tissue, similar to a nylon rope. A sprain stretches or tears the ligaments. Minor sprains only stretch the ligament. A tear may be either a complete tear of all the strands of the ligament or a partial tear of only some of the strands. The ligament is weakened by the injury. How much it is weakened depends on the degree of the sprain.
Why is syndesmosis important?
It is very important to improve strength and coordination in the ankle. It is vital to remember that an ankle syndesmosis injury is more complex than a simple ankle sprain. The healing time is at least twice as long, and getting back to normal activity is usually a more gradual process.
How do you know if you have a syndesmosis sprain?
Mild to moderate syndesmosis sprains may at first feel like a routine sprained ankle. Symptoms include pain and swelling on the outside of the ankle. If the problem has been ongoing, patients may have pain due to an unstable ankle joint. They may feel vague pain around the ankle.
What is the surgery for syndesmosis?
Surgery for a syndesmosis injury is designed to reduce the separation between the tibia and fibula. If there are no barriers keeping the tibia and fibula apart, the surgeon may simply need to place screws through the two bones to hold them together while the ligaments heal.
What is the X-ray used to determine if a syndesmosis is severe?
X-rays are used to determine the severity of the syndesmosis injury. Stress X-rays are done to see if the tibia and fibula splay apart.
How to diagnose syndesmosis?
The diagnosis of syndesmosis injuries is usually made by examining the ankle. The doctor moves your ankle in different positions in order to check the ligaments and tendons around the ankle. The syndesmosis is stressed by turning the ankle outward while holding the lower leg still. Another test, called the squeeze test, is done by grabbing the calf just above the ankle joint and squeezing it. Pain with this test is a hallmark of a syndesmosis injury.
Where are syndesmosis joints located?
In addition to the ankle syndesmosis (the connection of the tibia and fibula), syndesmosis joints are also located in the lower spine, where the top of the triangular-shaped sacrum bone fits between the pelvis bones. Most joints in the body are synovial joints.
