A syndesmotic screw is a metal screw

Screw

A screw, or bolt, is a type of fastener characterized by a helical ridge, known as an external thread or just thread, wrapped around a cylinder. Some screw threads are designed to mate with a complementary thread, known as an internal thread, often in the form of a nut or an object that has the...

 designed to replace the syndesmosis

Syndesmosis

A syndesmosis is slightly movable articulation where the contiguous bony surfaces are united by an interosseous ligament, as in the inferior tibiofibular articulation...

 of the human body, usually temporarily. If the syndosmosis is torn apart as result of bone fracture, surgeons will sometimes fix the relevant bones together with a syndesmotic screw, temporarily replacing the normal articulation.

A syndesmotic screw designed to replace the inferior tibiofibular articulation

Inferior tibiofibular articulation

The distal tibiofibular joint is formed by the rough, convex surface of the medial side of the distal end of the fibula, and a rough concave surface on the lateral side of the tibia.Below, to the extent of about 4 mm...

 that fix the tibia

Tibia

The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....

 and fibula together at the lower joint, is 5–6 cm long and made of a stainless, solid metal.

The screw inhibits normal movement of the bones and, thereby, the corresponding joint(s). When the natural articulation is healed, the screw is therefore removed.

External links

• Syndesmotic injury of the ankle - Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics.
• Technique of syndesmotic fixation - Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics.