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Technical Note| Volume 50, ISSUE 3, P814-815, March 2019

Ankle gravity stress view in the seated position: A technical tip

Published:February 18, 2019DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2019.02.013

      Highlights

      • We describe a technique that allows acquisition of the gravity stress view of the ankle while the patient remains seated.
      • The patient is seated on a stable office chair or in a wheelchair with the affected limb placed on a padded stool.
      • The ankle and foot should be 15° internally rotated relative to the floor once the leg has been appropriately positioned.
      • The leg should be held straight with the ankle at the level of the chair seat and radiograph is then obtained.
      • Obtaining the gravity stress view in the seated position offers advantages including better safety and time-efficiency.

      Abstract

      The ankle gravity stress view (GSV) is often utilized to elucidate instability in patients with an apparent, isolated lateral malleolus fracture. While this has been demonstrated to have advantages over the manual external rotation stress test, positioning in the lateral decubitus position can be difficult, uncomfortable and time-intensive. We report a simple and safe technique that allows one to obtain a gravity stress view of the ankle with the patient seated.

      Keywords

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