ANKLE/FOOT ASSESSMENT SERIES PART 8: COTTON TEST FOR SYNDESMOSIS LESION With every inversion or eversion trauma, there is possible damage to the syndesmosis between the tibia and the fibula. Assessment of the syndesmosis is necessary as a lesion will prolong the recovery time after an ankle trauma for ~ 1 month. | Physiotutors

Cotton Test / Lateral Stress Test | Syndesmosis Injury Beumer et al. (2002) investigated the diagnostic accuracy of the Cotton test and found a sensitivity of 25% while the specificity was not specified. Therefore, the accuracy of this test is questionable. The logic behind the Cotton test is that lateral translation of the talus can only occur if the tibiofibular ligaments are injured or torn as the 'fork' that is formed between the tibia and fibular can spread more than usual. | Physiotutors