Ankle Pathologies Flashcards
What are the 3 lateral ankle ligament called?
Anterior talo-fibula ligament
Calcaneofibula ligament
Posterior talo-fibula ligament
What are the grades for a lateral ankle sprain?
Grade I, II, III
Grade II and III instability is present
What are the 4 deltoid ligaments called?
- Anterior tibiotalar ligament
- Posterior tibiotalar ligament
- Tibiocalcaneal ligament
- Tibionavicular ligament
What injuries are usually associated with deltoid ligament injuries?
Lateral ankle sprains
Fractures
Syndemosis injuires
What movement does the deltoid ligaments prevent?
Eversion
What are the clinical features to diagnose a deltoid ligament sprain?
Popping sensation
Pain & Swelling
Exclude tibialis posterior injury
MRI
Name the 2 peroneal muscles and there origin and insertion?
Peroneal brevis and longus
Origin - Shaft of fibula
Insertion - Base of 5th metatarsal
What is the function of the peroneal muscles?
Wrap around lateral malleolus like a pully
Eccentrically control inversion and everts ankle
What associated injuries are common with lateral ankle sprains?
Base of 5th metatarsal fractures and peroneal tendon dislocations
What is a common overuse injury for the peroneal muscles?
Tendinopathy
What is the clinical presentation of a peroneal injury?
Pain localised posterior to lateral malleolus and tracks to lateral hind foot = peroneal trochlea on calcaneus and cuboid tunnel under foot
Pain on resisted PF and eversion
Snapping tendon across lateral malleolus
What are the Ottawa Ankle Rules and what are the 4 areas to palpate?
Assessment for potential ankle fracture
- Distal posterior 6cm of the fibula
- Distal posterior 6cm of the tibia
- Base of the 5th metatarsal
- Navicular tubicle
Using the Ottawa Ankle Rules, when is an x-ray required?
Bone tenderness on 1 of the 4 bony areas plus the inability to take 4 complete steps
What factors may affect your clinical judgement for an x-ray using the Ottawa Ankle Rules?
If the patient has other distracting painful injuries
Diminished sensation in the legs
Swelling which prevents palpation
What are the different types of 5th metatarsal fractures associated with inversion sprains?
Starting from proximal to distal:
Tuberosity avulsion fracture
Jones fracture
Stress fracture
Shaft fracture
Head fracture
What 5th metatarsal fractures are most common with a peroneal brevis injury?
Tuberosity avulsion fracture
Jones fracture
What is the Weber Ankle Fracture Classification?
Regarding lateral malleolus fibula fractures
Type A - fracture distal to syndesmosis. Usually stable. Associated with inversion injuries.
Type B - Most common. Fracture at level of syndesmosis with variable stability. Associated with inversion injuries.
Type C - fracture proximal to syndesmosis and often associated with syndesmosis injury. DF and eversion mechanism.
If the medial malleolus is fractured as well as the lateral malleolus what treatment is required?
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
What are the different ways a syndemosis injury can occur?
Injury to:
Anterior inferior tibiofibula ligament
Posterior inferior tibiofibula ligament
Interosseous ligament
What is the treatment if any of the ligaments involved with syndesmosis injuries have ruptured?
Surgery
Injury to interosseous = cast and surgery
What sign indicates the need for syndesmosis testing?
Pooling of blood lateral and anterior foot
What are the signs and symptoms of syndesmosis injuries?
! Inability to hop
! DF and ER pain
! DF and ER foot planted mechanism
! Inability to walk
! Pain out of proportion
! Pain in shin or knee during mechanism
! Feeling of instability
More pain compared to an ATFL injury
Unable to weight-bare, especially downstairs
Localised tenderness around anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament
Where should you palpate for syndesmosis injuries?
Whole leg due to high force mechanism
Anterio-lateral over tibia
What are the 4 compartments of the lower leg?
- Anterior compartment
- Lateral compartment
- Deep posterior compartment
- Superior posterior compartment
Which 2 compartments does compartment syndrome most likely occur?
- Anterior (40-60%)
2. Deep posterior (30-60%)
What is compartment syndrome?
Swelling that occurs within one of the compartment and affects the nerves, veins, muscles and arteries
What are the compartments divided by and why is this important?
Fascia which is not flexible
What is the effect of compartment syndrome on the nerves, veins, arteries and muscles?
Muscles - weakness
Obstruct nerves, veins and arteries that lead to altered sensation and loss of blood flow (feleing of deadness)