A Device for Stress Inversion or Eversion Roentgenograms of the Ankle

¹ United States Army Hospital, Fort Carson, Colorado

1. A practical and effective device is described for the maintaining of stress on the ankle in inversion or eversion while roentgenograms are made. The apparatus can be constructed at minimum cost and is simple to apply. At the same time, it is small and compact, making it easy to store and transport with a portable x-ray machine.

2. By the providing of rigid fixation the device eliminates movement and thus makes it possible to obtain better roentgenograms. Also, the device enables reduction of the x-ray exposure to the surgeon or technician who would otherwise have to hold the ankle.

3. The device has been used on a large number of army personnel with both normal ankles and ankles in which there were acute injuries of the ligaments and ankles with chronic instability. Accurate diagnosis of injuries of the collateral ligaments of the ankle has been made possible by use of this device.

4. No evidence has been found that stress testing increases the extent of acute ligamentous injuries. Attempts to increase the tears found at the time of operation on the ankles with acute injuries to the lateral collateral ligaments were uniformly unsuccessful, even though forceful inversion of the foot was carried out.

5. The findings in stress roentgenograms must be interpreted in the light of the clinical findings.

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