Using Ultrasound to Assess Severity and Complications of First-Time Lateral Ankle Sprain

What this Trial Is About

Ankle sprains are common injuries that are often underestimated. When not correctly diagnosed or treated, they can recur and lead to chronic ankle instability, sometimes causing complications that result in long-term problems. This research aims to understand if ultrasound can provide a better diagnosis of the severity of lateral ankle sprains and detect complications that might be missed during a physical exam. The study involves 50 patients experiencing their first ankle sprain with disability related to sport or work. Each patient will undergo clinical assessments including their medical history, physical examinations, and functional scoring. Ultrasound and MRI scans will be performed within the first month after injury to evaluate the sprains severity and look for any complications. The main goal is to compare ultrasound findings with clinical assessments and MRI results to see how well ultrasound can diagnose sprain severity. Participants will be followed over time with physical examinations scheduled at 30 days, 3 months, 6 months, and a final check at 12 months after the sprain. Researchers will assess severity scores by ultrasound at 14 days, MRI at 14 days, and radiologist evaluations at multiple points up to one year. This ongoing monitoring helps to understand the injury progression and the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosis.

Interest of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Severity of Lateral Ankle Sprain