Syndesmosis injuries in athletes.

The key to syndesmosis injuries is early recognition of the injury pattern and appropriate treatment. The clinician must be wary of the ankle sprain that is slow to heal. Radiographic criteria should be examined closely when considering the diagnosis; if surgery is warranted, attention to the health of the soft tissue envelope is key. Late repairs or reconstructions never have as favorable an outcome as the properly repaired acute injury. Postoperative rehabilitation should be monitored closely and care should be taken to avoid early return to activity that could result in reinjury or damage to the surgical repair or reconstruction.