Anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament injury: not just another ankle sprain
Phys Sportsmed. November 1989;17(11):63-69
Affiliations
1Parkside Sports Medicine Center, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL
2Huntington, WV
3Marshall University, Huntington, WV
Abstract
Ankle sprains that primarily involve the anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament are reportedly uncommon, but the authors have recently seen several such injuries in their clinic. These high ankle sprains usually are caused by forced lateral rotation with the foot in dorsiflexion. Edema and ecchymosis are generally minimal, with pain and tenderness over the distal anterior tibofibular syndesmosis. Pain and disability can persis for weeks. Rehabilitation consists of range-of-motion exercises leading up to weight-bearing and often takes much longer that the initial symptoms might suggest.