What finding during the syndesmosis squeeze test interpretation suggests a syndesmotic injury?

What finding during the syndesmosis squeeze test interpretation suggests a syndesmotic injury?

• A. Distal ankle pain
• B. Lateral ankle pain
• C. Pain with dorsiflexion only
• D. Pain with eversion

Answer: (A)

Stressing the distal tibiofibular joint by squeezing the mid-calf tests the integrity of the syndesmosis. If pain is felt at the distal ankle, around where the syndesmosis sits, that local tenderness indicates a syndesmotic injury. Pain in this distal region specifically points to the structures between the tibia and fibula rather than other ankle ligaments. Pain elsewhere, such as along the lateral ligaments, with dorsiflexion only, or with eversion, would suggest different injuries.

Stressing the distal tibiofibular joint by squeezing the mid-calf tests the integrity of the syndesmosis. If pain is felt at the distal ankle, around where the syndesmosis sits, that local tenderness indicates a syndesmotic injury. Pain in this distal region specifically points to the structures between the tibia and fibula rather than other ankle ligaments. Pain elsewhere, such as along the lateral ligaments, with dorsiflexion only, or with eversion, would suggest different injuries.