title: Ankle syndesmosis sprains in national hockey league players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although syndesmosis sprains are less common in sports than lateral ankle sprains, they represent a significant source of morbidity. Several studies have described the increased recovery time for these injuries in a variety of sports. No previous study has described this injury in hockey players.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Syndesmosis ankle sprains require a longer recovery time and are less common than lateral ankle sprains in elite hockey players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uncontrolled retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of the St Louis Blues (1994-2001) and Dallas Stars (1991-2001) National Hockey League teams were reviewed by the head athletic trainers. Ankle sprains were identified and divided into 2 groups: syndesmosis and lateral sprains. Player demographics, treatment, and time lost to play were recorded for each injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen players were diagnosed with syndesmosis sprains, and 5 players sustained lateral sprains during this time period. Mean time to return to play in games was 45 days (range, 6-137 days) for syndesmosis sprains versus 1.4 days (range, 0-6 days) for lateral sprains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Syndesmosis sprains represent a significant injury in hockey players with an extended time lost and, unlike in other sports, are a more common injury than lateral ankle sprains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. rwwright1@aol.com
authors.forename: Rick W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Barile
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Surprenant
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Matava
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States