Use of a comprehensive systemic ultrasound evaluation in the diagnosis and analysis of acute lateral region ankle sprain

BACKGROUND: For the diagnosis of acute lateral ankle sprain, many clinicians use ultrasound; they typically focus on the lateral ligament complex, which is the most common site of lesions in ankle sprain. However, this approach risks missing other foot and ankle lesions. The present study aimed to provide and analyze the results of a new ultrasound method of diagnosis for acute lateral ankle sprain which can thoroughly investigate overall lesions of the foot and ankle. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional cohort study of 123 patients who underwent diagnostic ultrasound within 1 week of acute lateral ankle injury was performed. Causes of ankle sprain, incidence and severity of each ligament injury, location of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury, accompanying ligament injury, and occult fracture were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 102 cases of ATFL injuries, 60 (58.5%) had islolated ATFL injury, 28 (27.5%) had accompanying calcaneofibular ligament injury (CFL), and 14 (13.7%) had accompanying midtarsal or syndesmosis injury. ATFL injuries occurred on the fibula attachment in 48 (47.1%) cases, ligament mid-substance in 24 (23.5%) cases, and talus attachment in 30 (29.4%) cases. Among the 165 lesions from 123 cases, injuries of the fourth or fifth dorsal tarsometatarsal (12 cases, 7.3%), bifurcate (11 cases, 6.7%), and anterior tibiofibular (11 cases, 6.7%) ligaments were not rare. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an ultrasound examination involving investigation of the midtarsal joint and syndesmotic ligament, as well as the ATFL and CFL, is useful for comprehensive, systemic diagnosis of acute lateral ankle sprain.