ONLINE EXCLUSIVE John T. Nickless, MD; Jeremy A. Alland, MD High ankle sprains: Division of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush Easy to miss, so follow these tips University Medical Center, Chicago Misdiagnosis can result in increased loss of play time and
[email protected] chronic ankle dysfunction. Here are the physical exam The authors reported no potential con ict of interest relevant maneuvers and imaging options to consider. to this article. CASE u PRACTICE A 19-year-old college football player presents to your outpa- RECOMMENDATIONS tient family practice clinic after suffering a right ankle injury ❯ Maintain a high level of during a football game over the weekend. He reports having suspicion for syndesmotic his right ankle planted on the turf with his foot externally ro- injury in any athlete tated when an opponent fell onto his posterior right lower ex- describing an external rotation or tremity. He reports having felt immediate pain in the area of hyper-dorsifl exion the right ankle and requiring assistance off of the fi eld, as he ankle injury. A had diffi culty walking. The patient was taken to the emergency department where x-rays of the right foot and ankle did not ❯ Obtain weight-bearing anteroposterior- and show any signs of acute fracture or dislocation. The patient was mortise-view ankle x-rays diagnosed with a lateral ankle sprain, placed in a pneumatic in all cases of suspected ankle walking brace, and given crutches. syndesmotic injuries. A high ankle sprain, or distal tibiofi bular syndesmotic in- ❯ Consider stress x-rays of the aff ected ankle, contralateral jury, can be an elusive diagnosis and is often mistaken ankle x-rays for comparison A for the more common lateral ankle sprain.