Does syndesmosis injury require surgery?
Surgery. Syndesmosis injuries that cause ankle instability may require surgery. Some doctors prefer to try nonsurgical treatment first. However, if at any point during treatment an X-ray shows a diastasis, surgery will probably be recommended.
Can you walk with syndesmosis injury?
Minimal swelling pattern. Patient can walk pain free. Pain with palpation and testing. Mild sprain= Boot till pain free 1-2 weeks and wean to brace for 2 weeks.
How long does it take for a syndesmosis injury 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 is a syndesmosis fracture?
Syndesmosis injuries occur when there is a disruption of the distal attachment of the tibia and fibula. These injuries occur commonly (up to 18% of ankle sprains), and the incidence increases in the setting of athletic activity. Recognition of these injuries is key to preventing long-term morbidity.
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 …
What causes syndesmosis?
A likely scenario for a syndesmosis injury is: Your foot is firmly planted. The leg rotates internally. There’s external rotation of the talus, a bone in the lower part of the ankle joint, above the heel bone.
How do you treat 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.
How do you treat syndesmosis?
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 does a syndesmosis injury happen?
A syndesmosis injury occurs when the foot twists outwards relative to the leg, a so-called external rotation injury. 2 This type of injury can occur when the ankle is forcefully twisted outwards, or when the foot is planted, and the leg twists inwards.
What causes a syndesmosis injury?