A twisted ankle and a tender spot near the knee
A foot and ankle surgeon and an emergency physician describe a Maisonneuve injury
A hard twist can damage the ligaments that bind your two lower leg bones together at the ankle. The force may travel up the leg and break the thinner bone, called the fibula, near the knee. Doctors call this pairing a Maisonneuve injury. The ankle may hurt most. So if no one checks the whole leg, the break higher up can be missed. The injury can leave the ankle unstable. [1]
Speak up about pain above the ankle
Along with your ankle pain, do you have tenderness on the outer calf or just below the knee? Tell your doctor. Explain how your foot twisted or got pinned. [1]
The exam should cover the ankle and the full length of the fibula. It should also check blood flow and nerve function. The team may need images of both the ankle and the top of the fibula. Ask if the ankle joint is stable. Where the bone broke is only part of the picture. [1]
Know your plan for walking
A high ankle ligament injury that comes with a fracture often needs a specialist to look at it. Treatment depends on how stable the ankle is and what other injuries you have. Some unstable injuries need surgery to put the ankle bones back in position. Don’t assume it’s fine to walk on the leg because the break is up near the knee. Ask for written directions on crutches, a boot or splint and when you can add weight. [1]
Signs that need urgent care
Get checked urgently if you can’t put weight on the leg after the injury. The same goes for severe ankle pain with tenderness at the top of the fibula. A foot that is cold, pale or newly numb is an emergency. After treatment, pain that gets worse or a splint that feels too tight needs a prompt check. [1]
What to ask about your leg
- Did someone examine my whole fibula and get images of it if needed?
- Is my ankle stable when weight is on it?
- Exactly how much weight can I put on this leg?
Point out the sore spot by your knee
When your ankle is examined, show the doctor any tender area near the outside of your knee. [1]
Sources and further reading
General education from foot and ankle surgery and emergency medicine. If your ankle injury might be unstable, don’t walk on it. Wait until a doctor has examined it and told you how much weight it can take.
Keep learning
Safe Driving Resource Center
Guides, self-checks and articles for drivers, parents of new drivers, and families recovering after a crash.
