Is Tenderness of Medial Malleolus Circumference a Sign of Syndesmosis Injuries?

Syndesmosis injuries occur in approximately 10% of all ankle fractures. The integrity of the deltoid ligament is important in the decision of surgical treatment of lateral malleolus fractures.

Patients who were operated on for Weber B ankle fracture were evaluated retrospectively, and the relationship between tenderness around the medial malleolus and syndesmosis injury was investigated. Patients with visual analog scale, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure daily living, and sports activity scores in their files were included. This study enrolled 38 patients. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with a medial space greater than 4 mm on preoperative radiographs and a positive intraoperative Cotton test, in which a syndesmosis screw was used. Group 2 consisted of patients with a medial space less than 4 mm on preoperative radiographs and negative intraoperative Cotton test, for whom no syndesmosis screw was used.

In 17 of 38 patients, syndesmosis screws were used because of intraopeative positive Cotton test. In 21 patients, the Cotton test was negative and the syndesmosis screw was not used. Comparing the groups statistically revealed no statistically significant difference in all scores. Tenderness around the medial malleolus was detected in two patients in group 2 and nine patients in group 1. A statistically significant difference was detected in terms of medial clear space values and tenderness around the medial malleolus between both groups.

The absence of tenderness around the medial malleolus in Weber B ankle fractures indicates no syndesmosis injury, whereas the presence of tenderness around the medial malleolus does not mean that there is a syndesmosis injury.