UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Orthopedics

Title: Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

Keywords: Sinus tarsi syndrome (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/15/2011 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 9/24/2013)
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Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

  • A painful syndrome of the ankle normally due to an inversion injury.  Results in pain along the lateral side of the ankle.
  • Often misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain.
  • Will have pain localized to the sinus tarsi (inferior and anterior to the anterior border of the lateral malleolus.
  • Can be diagnosed by injecting lidocaine into the sinus tarsi, which should completely relieve the pain.
  • Treatment consists of
    • NSAIDs
    • Ankle immobilization
    • Physical therapy
    • Oral or injected steroids in resistant cases