A BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE SQUEEZE TEST FOR SPRAINS OF THE SYNDESMOTIC LIGAMENTS OF THE ANKLE

The ''squeeze test'' is a clinical test for detecting ''stable'' synde smosis injuries. The test is positive when proximal compression of the calf produces pain in the area of the distal tibiofibular and interos seous ligaments. The purpose of this study was to examine what fibular movement, if any, occurs at the level of the ankle mortise when compr ession is applied proximally, A differential variable reluctance trans ducer was inserted into the origin and insertion of the anterior tibio fibular ligaments of fresh cadaver human lower limbs which had been pr epared to simulate the clinical conditions of the squeeze test, Compre ssion was applied both manually and with a specially designed clamp. S queezing the calf caused separation of the distal fibula and tibia.