Acute lateral ankle sprain accounts for 85% of sprains. The lateral sprain is associated with other ligament injuries e.g. medial and syndesmosis sprain. Long-term, approximately 20% of acute lateral sprains develop into chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) which includes persistent pain, and recurring ankle sprains. This study evaluated the grade of an ankle ligament injury by ultrasonography (US) and compared the findings to the outcome of patient-reported questionnaires. 48 subjects (18–40 years) diagnosed with an ankle sprain attended a clinical and US examination of ankle ligaments within two weeks after the sprain. Evaluation was done by US of acute lateral ligament injuries (ATFL, CFL), syndesmosis injury (AiTFL), and medial injury (dPT, TCt) only in participants with the positive clinical signs of medial injury. Participants were then mailed a questionnaire (PROMQ) every third month for a year. 29 women and 19 men participated with a mean age at 26.50 years. One-year follow-ups need to be analyzed further for final results. Temporary results include data based on the initial 26 patients: Two clinical signs statistically correlated. Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed the results. Positive palpated tenderness AiTFL predicted with partial ruptured ATFL and reported pain during active plantar flexion of ankle predicted with normal CFL confirmed by the US. Patients with partial rupture of ATFL presented with tenderness at AiTFL point. Patients presenting with intact CFL reported pain during active plantar flexion. Compared to the US findings, the overall examinations were inconclusive in predicting ATFL, CFL, AiTFL, and medial ligament injuries.
Trauma and orthopaedics is the largest of the
surgical specialties and yet attracts a disproportionately small
fraction of available national and international funding for health
research. With the burden of musculoskeletal disease increasing,
high-quality research is required to improve the evidence base for
orthopaedic practice. Using the current research landscape in the
United Kingdom as an example, but also addressing the international
perspective, we highlight the issues surrounding poor levels of
research funding in trauma and orthopaedics and indicate avenues
for improving the impact and success of surgical musculoskeletal
research. Cite this article:
