Corpus3D

Ankle and foot

Fibular translation test

What you examine
Instability of the syndesmosis in the anteroposterior direction.
Procedure
Fix the tibia and translate the fibula at ankle level alternately anteriorly and posteriorly.
Positive when
More translation than on the other side, or recognisable pain during the translation.
What the test is worth
Little studied; interrater reliability is moderate. Use it as an addition, not as a deciding test.
Caution
The difference from the other side is small and subjective. Always test the healthy ankle first to calibrate your reference.
Joint
Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (syndesmosis tibiofibularis)
Body region
Ankle and foot

Structures involved