A Novel Examination Method for Deltoid Injuries: Deltoid Gap Sign

Ankle fracture patients who applied to our clinic agreed to be included in the study and underwent surgical intervention will participate in the study. The pediatric age group will not be included in the study, since deltoid ligament tears are not common in ankle fractures in pediatric age. However, since this fracture can also be seen in pregnant women, if there is a pregnant patient who will require surgical treatment, they can be included in the study.

"Deltoid Gap Sign" which is the main subject of this study, will be performed in patients firstly at patients' ward i) without pre-operative anesthesia, secondly at operating theatre ii) under anesthesia before the operation. The examination will be carried out by two different physicians and the opinion of both physicians will be noted. Physicians will be blinded and will not know others' decisions.

External rotation stress test (ERST) in dorsiflexion, which is another examination method accepted in the literature in the evaluation of the deltoid ligament, will also be performed by two physicians and the opinions of the physicians will be noted. ERST will be analyzed under fluoroscopy control.

After the examination, open surgery will be performed around the medial malleolus. It will be noted whether the deltoid ligament was injured (ruptured/ not ruptured), which fibers of the deltoid ligament (superficial/deep/superficial + deep fibers) were ruptured.

Statistical ratios such as positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio will be calculated based on the results obtained.