Ankle Gravity Stress View in the Seated Position: A Technical Tip

Diagnosis of mortise instability in the apparent isolated lateral malleolus fracture can be challenging and often relies on stress radiography. Michelson, et al. first reported the utility of gravity stress testing to find mortise instability in a cadaveric study in which 8 cadavers underwent fibular osteotomy with deep deltoid transection.[1] When gravity stress was applied with the specimens mounted horizontally, lateral talar translation and tilt were noted. Three clinical series of supination external rotation ankle fractures have all separately demonstrated the effectiveness of manual external rotation stress testing (MERST) to elucidate deltoid injury and instability of the mortise.[2 –4] Gill, et al.
Source: Injury - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research