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Dynamic Ultrasound in Evaluation of Tendo-ligamentous Ankle Injury

Conditions
Tendinoligamentous Injury of the Ankle
Registration Number
NCT03621150
Lead Sponsor
Assiut University
Brief Summary

Several imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound (US) can be used to evaluate the ankle. However, US has several benefits for the evaluation of the tendons and ligaments of the ankle, such as its suitability to be integrated with a dynamic assessment and a stress test, its ability to provide real-time analysis, its avoidance of the risk of radiation exposure, and its cost-effectiveness. US is especially powerful when used to evaluate a tear, subluxation, or dislocation in a dynamic examination and when performing a comparison with the contralateral extremity. Dynamic imaging with muscle contraction or passive movement is often helpful. Additionally, Doppler imaging may be used to distinguish small intrasubstance tears from blood vessels that can occur in a tendinopathic tendon.

Detailed Description

Ankle injuries account for approximately 14% of sports-related orthopedic emergency visits. Various pathological conditions can affect the ankle, including trauma, overuse disorders, and inflammatory conditions.

Several imaging modalities, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound (US) can be used to evaluate the ankle. However, US has several benefits for the evaluation of the tendons and ligaments of the ankle, such as its suitability to be integrated with a dynamic assessment and a stress test, its ability to provide real-time analysis, its avoidance of the risk of radiation exposure, and its cost-effectiveness. US is especially powerful when used to evaluate a tear, subluxation, or dislocation in a dynamic examination and when performing a comparison with the contralateral extremity. Dynamic imaging with muscle contraction or passive movement is often helpful. Additionally, Doppler imaging may be used to distinguish small intrasubstance tears from blood vessels that can occur in a tendinopathic tendon.

Approximately 85%of them are due to inversion forces and, therefore, involve the lateral collateral ligamentous complex. A Grade I sprain is a mild injury limited to microtears and stretching of the ligaments. Grade II sprains are partial macroscopic tears and in Grade III sprains the ligament has ruptured completely. There is general agreement that the overwhelming majority of Grade I and II sprains heal uneventfully with conservative care. Treatment of Grade III sprains is more controversial: some practitioners prefer operative repair, at least for high-performance athletes and others prefer a regimen of casting and physical therapy, which is the case in our institution. The proper role of imaging in the diagnosis of ankle sprains includes first of all conventional radiographs to ensure a fracture is not overlooked. Ultrasound is will be used to evaluate disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and because of their size and superficial location the ankle tendons can be well evaluated

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • patients complaining of unilateral ankle joint pain (acute or chronic).
Exclusion Criteria
  • previous ankle surgery, interventional Intra-articular procedures (previous arthroscope, injections),
  • Systemic inflammatory disorders (collagen diseases),
  • Diagnosed osseous lesions.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Assessment of ankle tendi-ligamentous injury by dynamic ultrasound and MRI1 month

Approximately 85%of anke tendo-ligamentous injuries are due to inversion forces and, therefore involve the lateral collateral ligamentous complex.

* Grade I sprain is a mild injury limited to microtears and stretching of the ligaments.

* Grade II sprains are partial macroscopic tears

* Grade III sprains the ligament has ruptured completely.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
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