What does a (+) finding in the Cotton's Test suggest?

A positive finding in the Cotton's Test indicates the presence of syndesmotic pain, which suggests an injury to the syndesmosis of the ankle. This test specifically assesses the stability of the syndesmosis, the fibrous joint that connects the two bones of the lower leg (the tibia and fibula) at the ankle. A positive result indicates increased mobility or pain when tension is applied to the syndesmosis, suggesting an injury or sprain, often associated with high ankle sprains.

Syndesmotic injuries typically occur due to excessive external rotation or forced dorsiflexion of the ankle, often seen in sports-related injuries. Being able to identify this finding is crucial for athletes as these injuries require a different management strategy compared to more common ankle sprains, focusing on more localized treatment that may include immobilization and rehabilitation to restore stability. Understanding this distinction is essential for appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning in athletic training.