The squeeze test is a diagnostic maneuver healthcare professionals use to assess injuries and conditions, particularly those affecting the lower leg and ankle. Its purpose is to aid in identifying specific issues by observing a patient’s pain response to a controlled compression. This physical examination technique provides information to guide further evaluation and potential treatment.
What the Squeeze Test Assesses
The squeeze test primarily evaluates high ankle sprains, also known as syndesmosis injuries. These injuries involve damage to the syndesmotic ligaments, strong connective tissues located above the ankle joint. These ligaments connect the tibia (shin bone) and fibula (calf bone). High ankle sprains occur when the foot is forcibly turned outward while the leg rotates inward, or during excessive dorsiflexion (foot flexed upwards), often seen in sports activities involving sudden direction changes or falls.
Unlike more common lateral ankle sprains, which affect ligaments on the outside of the ankle, syndesmotic injuries impact the stability of the tibiofibular joint, where the tibia and fibula meet. This stability is important for normal ankle function and weight-bearing. The squeeze test can also be used as a complementary tool in assessing certain types of arthritis in the hands and feet. In these cases, it helps detect joint inflammation, though its sensitivity for this purpose can be low.
Performing and Interpreting the Squeeze Test
A healthcare professional performs the squeeze test by having the patient lie down, exposing their ankle. The examiner then grasps the patient’s lower leg and applies a compressive force, squeezing the tibia and fibula bones together. This action compresses the bones and, if the syndesmotic ligaments are damaged, can elicit pain at the injury site, usually near or just above the ankle joint.
A positive squeeze test is indicated by the reproduction of pain, particularly in the region of the syndesmosis. The location of the pain can provide clues about the injury’s severity; pain experienced higher up the leg during the squeeze may suggest a more severe syndesmosis injury. Conversely, a negative result means no pain is elicited during the compression. This test should only be performed by a qualified medical professional, as improper technique or self-diagnosis can lead to inaccurate assessments or further injury.
Beyond the Squeeze Test
The squeeze test is rarely used in isolation for a definitive diagnosis due to its varying sensitivity and specificity. While a positive result is a strong indicator of a syndesmotic injury, a negative result does not definitively rule one out.
Therefore, the squeeze test serves as one tool within a broader diagnostic framework. Healthcare professionals combine its findings with other clinical assessments, including a thorough patient history and a comprehensive physical examination. Additional diagnostic methods, such as imaging studies like X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are often necessary to confirm a diagnosis, assess injury severity, and rule out other conditions like fractures. This comprehensive approach ensures an accurate diagnosis and informs the most appropriate treatment plan.