RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To review the literature, identify and describe commonly used special tests for diagnosing injury to the ligaments of the ankle complex, present the distinguishing characteristics and limitations of each test, and discuss the current evidence for the clinical use of each test. DATA SOURCES: Multiple PubMed (1920-2018) and CINAHL (1920-2018) searches were conducted and various musculoskeletal examination textbooks were reviewed to examine common orthopedic tests used to assess the ankle. The articles were reviewed for additional references and the search continued until the original description was found when possible. STUDY SELECTION: All articles discussing the performance of the test or its validity (ie, sensitivity and specificity) were reviewed and summarized. DATA EXTRACTION: Articles were reviewed for additional references and the search continued until the original description was found when possible. DATA SYNTHESIS: The literature was reviewed, commonly used special tests for diagnosing ankle injuries were identified and described, distinguishing characteristics and limitations of each test were presented, and the current evidence for the clinical use of each test was discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A complete physical examination is critical in the diagnosis of ankle injuries. The combination of available information such as mechanism of injury, all signs and symptoms, and changes in gait, is key to a conclusive and correct diagnosis. Clinicians should be aware of the severely limited evidence supporting the use of many commonly used special tests. Applying evidence from the literature will improve diagnostic accuracy. Further research is needed to understand the performance ability of special tests, both individually and when grouped as part of a test battery.
RESUMEN
The treatment of isolated lateral malleolar fractures with deltoid ligament rupture remains controversial. We prospectively analysed 35 patients with isolated lateral malleolar fractures during 2006-2013. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to assess the degree of reduction, ligament damage, and stability. Internal fixation was performed for all unstable valgus fractures with unacceptable fracture parameters. Fractures with residual valgus instability after fixation underwent anterior deltoid repair. The mean anterior deltoid ligament grade based on MRI was significantly different between the high-grade unstable group and the stable and low-grade unstable groups (p=0.037 and 0.004, respectively). Postoperative medial clear space measurements were not significantly different between groups. MRI was shown to be a useful tool in the preoperative identification of isolated lateral malleolus fractures prone to valgus instability. In the case of high-grade unstable fractures of the lateral malleolus, repair of the anterior deltoid ligament is adequate for restoring medial stability.