Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Trauma
intermediate
X-Type

Ankle Syndesmosis Injury

Ankle Trauma

A 28-year-old rugby player injures his ankle during a tackle. He describes his foot being planted while his body rotated externally. He has tenderness over the anterolateral ankle and proximal fibula. The squeeze test and external rotation stress test are positive. Radiographs show increased tibiofibular clear space and reduced tibiofibular overlap. There is no fracture. Regarding syndesmosis injuries:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The syndesmosis consists of four ligaments: anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL - most co...

B

Clinical tests include the squeeze test (compressing the fibula at mid-calf produces distal pain), e...

C

The PITFL is most commonly injured; the AITFL is the strongest; internal rotation causes syndesmosis...

D

Treatment depends on stability: stable injuries (partial tears, negative stress test) may be treated...

E

Complications include syndesmotic malreduction (most important predictor of poor outcome - even 2mm ...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option