soft tissues injured with an inversion ankle injury
- Anterior talofibular ligament
- Calcaneofibular ligament
- Anterior tibiofibular ligament
- Posterior tibiofibular ligament
Define erythema
Redness of skin
Define ecchymosis
Discoloration/bruising
Define edema
Swelling
Define ankle mortise
Rectangular shaped joint formed by lateral malleolus, tibia, & medial malleolus around the talus
Describe antalgic gait
Limp to avoid weight bearing, usually involves a longer time on one leg, & a swing
Squeeze Test
- Compress tibia & fibula at mid-calf, checking for pain at syndesmosis—where tibia & fibula meet at ankle
- Pain = positive—indicates fracture or syndesmosis sprain (high ankle sprain)
Ottawa ankle rules
ankle x ray is required if:
- bone tenderness to posterior edge or tip of lat malleolus
- bone tenderness to posterior edge or tip of medial malleolus
- inability to bear weight immediately and at ER for 4 steps
mechanism of injury in ankle sprain
Inversion & plantar flexion
physical findings in ankle sprain
- Pain, especially w/weight bearing
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Restricted range of motion
- Instability in ankle
- Popping sensation or sound at time of injury
progressive clinical presentation of an undiagnosed ankle fracture
↑ pain & swelling, ↓ range of motion, ↓ ability to bear weight, extension of swelling past affected site
underlying pathophysiology of a fracture
- Muscles around fracture site contract to prevent movement of broken bone—guarding
- ↑↑ blood flow to fracture site of bone to support healing
Occult fracture
hidden fracture on x-ray
Weber B fracture of the ankle
fracture at level of syndesmosis
X-ray views for suspected ankle fracture
Mortise view, Lateral view, AP view
Define unstable joint
o Bones of the joint are not being held in the proper place as a result of bone or ligament pathology
open-reduction with internal-fixation
o 2 part surgery
- Broken bone is reduced (put back into place)
- Internal fixation is placed—screws, rods, etc. hold bone in placeposterior splint and how it serves to protect an injured ankle
o Posterior splint provides immobilization to back of ankle—prevents dorsiflexion & plantarflexion
