Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement

Abstract Purpose There is no consensus on treatment protocols based on severity and timing for acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS). Appropriate decision‐making is necessary to prevent reinjury or chronic ankle instability. In this retrospective observational study, we clarified the duration of recovery...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yuto Uchida, Masashi Kawabata, Yusuke Kumazawa, Kazuya Takagi, Kazuma Miyatake, Takumi Kobayashi, Tomonori Kenmoku, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Naonobu Takahira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70204
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850260497697341440
author Yuto Uchida
Masashi Kawabata
Yusuke Kumazawa
Kazuya Takagi
Kazuma Miyatake
Takumi Kobayashi
Tomonori Kenmoku
Hiroyuki Watanabe
Naonobu Takahira
author_facet Yuto Uchida
Masashi Kawabata
Yusuke Kumazawa
Kazuya Takagi
Kazuma Miyatake
Takumi Kobayashi
Tomonori Kenmoku
Hiroyuki Watanabe
Naonobu Takahira
author_sort Yuto Uchida
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose There is no consensus on treatment protocols based on severity and timing for acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS). Appropriate decision‐making is necessary to prevent reinjury or chronic ankle instability. In this retrospective observational study, we clarified the duration of recovery from anterior ankle joint displacement in patients with initial acute LAS of several severities. Methods Overall, 101 patients with varying grades of initial unilateral LAS were included. Injury severity was based on ligament tears and anterior ankle joint displacement using the reverse anterior drawer test with ultrasonography. The automated length measurement system software measured changes in the talofibular distance. Results The median (95% confidence interval) change in the talofibular distance on the affected side was 1.24 (0.96–1.76), 3.03 (2.91–3.74) and 3.06 (2.37–4.69) mm for LAS grades I, II and III, respectively, on the first medical examination. The increase in talofibular distance for grade I injuries was significantly smaller than for Grades II and III (p < 0.01). The regression equation was y = –0.02 × days + 1.43, –0.05 × days + 3.30 and –0.05 × days + 3.42 for Grades I, II and III, respectively; the time it took to reach the value of the unaffected side was 14.5, 43.2 and 45.6 days, respectively. Regression coefficients were significantly greater for Grades II and III than for Grade I (p < 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively). No significant differences were observed between Grades II and III. Conclusion These results revealed that the recovery time for displacement varies according to the severity of the sprain, suggesting the need to develop optimal treatment protocols. Level of Evidence Level III.
format Article
id doaj-art-9eb51b65ae6c4620b945bfbc2c33e4a1
institution OA Journals
issn 2197-1153
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
spelling doaj-art-9eb51b65ae6c4620b945bfbc2c33e4a12025-08-20T01:55:38ZengWileyJournal of Experimental Orthopaedics2197-11532025-01-01121n/an/a10.1002/jeo2.70204Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacementYuto Uchida0Masashi Kawabata1Yusuke Kumazawa2Kazuya Takagi3Kazuma Miyatake4Takumi Kobayashi5Tomonori Kenmoku6Hiroyuki Watanabe7Naonobu Takahira8Department of Sports Medicine Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Sagamihara JapanDepartment of Sports Medicine Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Sagamihara JapanKumazawa Orthopaedic Clinic Tokyo JapanKonica Minolta, Inc. Tokyo JapanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery Yokohama City University Yokohama JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate School of Health Sciences Gunma University Maebashi JapanDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery Kitasato University School of Medicine Sagamihara JapanDepartment of Sports Medicine Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Sagamihara JapanDepartment of Sports Medicine Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Sagamihara JapanAbstract Purpose There is no consensus on treatment protocols based on severity and timing for acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS). Appropriate decision‐making is necessary to prevent reinjury or chronic ankle instability. In this retrospective observational study, we clarified the duration of recovery from anterior ankle joint displacement in patients with initial acute LAS of several severities. Methods Overall, 101 patients with varying grades of initial unilateral LAS were included. Injury severity was based on ligament tears and anterior ankle joint displacement using the reverse anterior drawer test with ultrasonography. The automated length measurement system software measured changes in the talofibular distance. Results The median (95% confidence interval) change in the talofibular distance on the affected side was 1.24 (0.96–1.76), 3.03 (2.91–3.74) and 3.06 (2.37–4.69) mm for LAS grades I, II and III, respectively, on the first medical examination. The increase in talofibular distance for grade I injuries was significantly smaller than for Grades II and III (p < 0.01). The regression equation was y = –0.02 × days + 1.43, –0.05 × days + 3.30 and –0.05 × days + 3.42 for Grades I, II and III, respectively; the time it took to reach the value of the unaffected side was 14.5, 43.2 and 45.6 days, respectively. Regression coefficients were significantly greater for Grades II and III than for Grade I (p < 0.01 and p = 0.01, respectively). No significant differences were observed between Grades II and III. Conclusion These results revealed that the recovery time for displacement varies according to the severity of the sprain, suggesting the need to develop optimal treatment protocols. Level of Evidence Level III.https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70204ankle sprainankle injuriesjoint laxityultrasonographyultrasound imaging
spellingShingle Yuto Uchida
Masashi Kawabata
Yusuke Kumazawa
Kazuya Takagi
Kazuma Miyatake
Takumi Kobayashi
Tomonori Kenmoku
Hiroyuki Watanabe
Naonobu Takahira
Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics
ankle sprain
ankle injuries
joint laxity
ultrasonography
ultrasound imaging
title Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
title_full Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
title_fullStr Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
title_full_unstemmed Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
title_short Severity‐dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains: An ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
title_sort severity dependent recovery time in acute lateral ankle sprains an ultrasonographic assessment of talofibular displacement
topic ankle sprain
ankle injuries
joint laxity
ultrasonography
ultrasound imaging
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70204
work_keys_str_mv AT yutouchida severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT masashikawabata severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT yusukekumazawa severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT kazuyatakagi severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT kazumamiyatake severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT takumikobayashi severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT tomonorikenmoku severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT hiroyukiwatanabe severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement
AT naonobutakahira severitydependentrecoverytimeinacutelateralanklesprainsanultrasonographicassessmentoftalofibulardisplacement