Anterolateral talar palpation: A complementary test for ankle instability.

BACKGROUND

The anterior drawer test is traditionally used to assess ankle instability, but we believe that there is room for a small but effective improvement by adding digital palpation of the talus. We aimed to determine the accuracy of anterolateral talar palpation (ATP) in the diagnosis of ankle instability by comparing it with the traditional anterior drawer test.

METHODS

Fourteen symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic patients were examined for excessive mobility through comparison of both ankles by two blinded orthopedic surgeons, each one using one of the above-mentioned tests. Symptomatic patients were also referred for stress radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTS

ATP was the most sensitive test, but also the least specific, yielding more positive results than the other tests, including tests with negative MRI. ATP and radiography had the highest accuracy and highest level of agreement with MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

ATP significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in detecting ankle instability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV: cross-sectional study.