Assessment of the Injured Ankle in the Athlete

OBJECTIVE: To present appropriate tools to assist in the assessment and evaluation of ankle injuries in athletes. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search was performed for the years 1980-2001 using the terms ankle injuries and ankle sprains. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ankle sprains are the most common injuries sustained by athletes. In order to render appropriate treatment, a proper evaluation must be made. Assessment of ankle injuries includes obtaining a good history of the mechanism of injury, a thorough physical examination, and judicious use of radiographic evaluation and special tests. I will outline techniques for diagnosing the most common ankle injuries among athletes. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: In order to provide appropriate treatment, the examiner must differentiate among injuries to the lateral ankle-ligament complex, subtalar joint, deltoid ligament, and syndesmosis. It is important to realize that injury can occur to any or all of these structures simultaneously.