Ankle and foot
Calf squeeze test
Compressietest syndesmose
- What you examine
- Injury of the syndesmosis and of the interosseous membrane above it.
- Procedure
- Squeeze the tibia and fibula together with both hands halfway up the lower leg, well above the ankle.
- Positive when
- Pain distally at the ankle, so far from the site where the pressure is applied.
- What the test is worth
- Specificity around 0.88, sensitivity low (around 0.30). Useful to rule in, not to rule out.
- Caution
- Pain at the site of the squeeze itself does not count: that may be a calf muscle injury or a stress fracture. Only pain referred to the ankle is positive.
- Body region
- Ankle and foot