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Review
. 2017 May;27(4):449-459.
doi: 10.1007/s00590-017-1956-2. Epub 2017 Apr 8.

Management of acute injuries of the tibiofibular syndesmosis

Nicholas M Fort  1 , Amiethab A Aiyer  1 , Jonathan R Kaplan  2 , Niall A Smyth  1 , Anish R Kadakia  3
Affiliations
Review

Management of acute injuries of the tibiofibular syndesmosis

Nicholas M Fort et al. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2017 May.

Abstract

The syndesmosis is important for ankle stability and load transmission and is commonly injured in association with ankle sprains and fractures. Syndesmotic disruption is associated with between 5 and 10% of ankle sprains and 11-20% of operative ankle fractures. Failure to recognize and appropriately treat syndesmotic disruption can portend poor functional outcomes for patients; therefore, early recognition and appropriate treatment are critical. Syndesmotic injuries are difficult to diagnose, and even when identified and treated, a slightly malreduced syndesmosis can lead to joint destruction and poor functional outcomes. This review will discuss the relevant anatomy, biomechanics, mechanism of injury, clinical evaluation, and treatment of acute injuries to the ankle syndesmosis.

Keywords: Ankle fractures; Ligament injury; Syndesmotic injuries.

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