Proximal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Injury in a Professional Football Player: Case Report

Abstract

Tibiofibular syndesmosis is defined as a fibrous complex of the intraosseous membrane, the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments connecting tibia and fibula to each other. Proximal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries, especially without tibiofibular dislocation are very rarely seen in the literature. In this paper, the case of a professional football player with proximal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury is presented. He was a 26 year old football player who could not resume the game after an opponent’s tackle. On examination, meniscal and ligamentous tests were normal, but edema, pain with palpation and (+) tinel sign with percussion of the fibular head were obtained. Additionally, increase in mobility of the fibular head was observed. After all radiological tests, the patient was diagnosed with “Proximal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Sprain Grade-II”, and a return to play period of 4-6 weeks was predicted. The player started to train with the team following the 30 days long rehabilitation protocol. There is no specific information about clinical and radiological signs to explain proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) injuries in textbooks of orthopedics and sports medicine. Therefore, PTFJ injuries can be missed or misdiagnosed due to lack of information and experience. Our case is one of the two cases in the literature with no dislocation of PTFJ. Studies with larger series will help physicians to cover the lack of information and experience about proximal syndesmosis injuries. Moreover, it will help obtaining the right treatment protocol, and receiving a more effective answer without delay.

Cite this article as: Denerel N, Kaan E. Proximal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury in a professional football player: case report. Turk J Sports Med. 2018;53(3):131-5.