Definition of Ankle syndesmosis

Ankle syndesmosis: the bony and ligamentous connection of the tibia and fibula at the ankle joint that helps to stabilize the joint. Ankle syndesmosis injury, also called a high ankle sprain, is a tear to one or more of the ligaments above the ankle joint (distal tibiofibular syndesmosis). A high ankle sprain is the one of the most severe forms of foot or ankle sprain and recovery can take twice as long as a regular sprained ankle.