Ultrasonographic examination for inversion ankle sprains associated with osseous injuries.
OBJECTIVE
The study attempted to evaluate the value of ultrasonography in determining the therapeutic strategy for patients with osseous injuries caused by ankle sprains.


METHODS
A 10-MHz compact linear-array ultrasound transducer was used to assess patients with inversion ankle sprains. Eleven female and 12 male patients who had fractures detected by sonograms were included in the study. All 23 patients underwent radiographic examination for identification of fractures. Bone scintigraphy was performed for those who had negative x-ray findings.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients had distal fibular tip fractures, three patients had the fifth metatarsal base fractures, one patient had a talar neck fracture, and one patient had a navicular fracture. These fractures were all detected by ultrasonography and then proved even by radiography or by bone scans. All the 23 patients had anterior talofibular ligament injuries. Among these patients, 11 had anterior ankle-joint recess effusion, and two had additional anterioinferior tibiofibular ligament injuries. Six weeks of immobilization with the ankle fracture brace was prescribed for all the patients after the identification of fractures. Their ankle pain symptoms soon improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonography is valuable in evaluating tiny foot and ankle fractures and coexistent soft tissue injuries. It can guide the treatment for patients with osseous injuries caused by ankle sprains.
Hsu
Chih-Chin
CC
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Tsai
Wen-Chung
WC
Chen
Carl P C
CP
Chen
Max Jin-Lung
MJ
Tang
Simon Fuk-Tan
SF
Shih
Linna
L
D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005529:Foot Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography