How long does syndesmosis injury take to heal?
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.
What causes syndesmosis sprain?
But syndesmosis injuries tend to involve high-energy force with a sudden twisting motion. This may be especially likely in sports where players wear cleats, which can plant the foot in place while the ankle is forced to rotate outwardly. It's also a risk in sports that can involve a blow to the outside of the ankle.
Can you walk with a syndesmosis injury?
Ankle syndesmosis injuries are often a result of trauma. Associated symptoms include: Pain across the front of the ankle joint that is aggravated particularly with external rotation of the foot. Pain and difficulty with walking and other weight-bearing activities.
How is a Syndesmotic ankle sprain treated?
Patients with these findings are often treated with immobilization in a non-weightbearing cast or walking boot for 4 to 6 weeks. Patients with a high syndesmotic ankle sprain that demonstrate diastasis of the syndesmosis without a fibular fracture require surgery. Surgical stabilization should be performed immediately.
How do you fix syndesmosis?
The syndesmosis cannot be simply repaired by suturing ligaments together, so instead, the two bones of the leg are stabilized together to allow the syndesmosis to heal in the proper alignment – either by using one or two screws that span the fibula and tibia completely (called syndesmosis screws), or alternatively, by ...
Does syndesmosis injury require surgery?
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.
Where does syndesmosis hurt?
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.
Do you need crutches for a high ankle sprain?
How is a high ankle sprain treated? You can begin treating your ankle injury by following the R.I.C.E. advice: rest, ice, compression (bandaging) and elevation (keeping your foot up) for about three to five days. You might need to use crutches when you need to move.
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.
How do I know if I have a syndesmosis injury?
Symptoms of a Syndesmosis Injury Pain when going down stairs and when turning the foot out. Turning or twisting the foot results in sharp pain to the ankle. The ankle may feel unstable due to widening of the ankle mortise due to over-stretching of the ligaments. Ankle weakness.
What are the signs and symptoms of a Syndesmotic ankle sprain?
Signs and Symptomspain, tenderness and swelling in the front of the ankle and lower leg that may spread to the whole ankle and foot.popping or tearing feeling at the time of injury.bruising that spreads to the heel or toes.trouble walking after injury.limited ankle range of motion, especially pointing outward.
How do you know if you have a Syndesmotic 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.
What is the most common mechanism of a syndesmosis sprain?
The most common mechanisms, individually and particularly in combination, are external rotation and hyperdorsiflexion. Both cause a widening of the mortise, resulting in disruption of the syndesmosis and talar instability.
What are the main causes of ankle sprains?
Causes of a sprained ankle might include:A fall that causes your ankle to twist.Landing awkwardly on your foot after jumping or pivoting.Walking or exercising on an uneven surface.Another person stepping or landing on your foot during a sports activity.
How do you prevent ankle syndesmosis?
Recently, the most common operative method used to reduce the syndesmosis has involved placement of a pointed reduction clamp around the distal tibia and fibula to maintain reduction of the syndesmosis with fixation (9–13).
What causes a high ankle sprain?
What causes high ankle sprains? A high ankle sprain happens when your ankle is hurt when your foot is flexed upward and then twisted either inwards or outwards. It almost always happens as a result of some type of collision, not simply the rolling motion that causes other ankle sprains.