Syndesmosis injuries of the ankle

Ankle syndesmosis injuries are relatively frequent in sports, especially skiing, ice hockey, and soccer, accounting for 1 %-18 % of all ankle sprains. The evolution is unpredictable: When missed, repeated episodes of ankle instability may predispose to early degenerative changes, and frank osteoarthritis may ensue. Diagnosis is clinical and radiological, but arthroscopy may provide a definitive response, allowing one to address secondary injuries to bone and cartilage. Obvious diastasis needs to be reduced and fixed operatively, whereas less severe injuries are controversial. Nonoperative treatment may be beneficial, but it entails long rehabilitation. In professional athletes, more aggressive surgical treatment is warranted.