Lateral ankle injuries are commonly seen in sports.
Lateral ankle injuries are commonly seen in sports. Isolated fractures of the distal fibula are seen when the ankle experiences a supination and external rotation injury Supination-external rotation of the ankle Concurrent injury of the deltoid ligament can lead to the development of ankle instability. The deltoid ligament is composed of the superficial deltoid, which prevents talar abduction and hindfoot eversion, and the deep deltoid, which prevents external rotation and lateral talar shift.
Deltoid ligament Providers will typically assess for ankle stability with radiographs. Standard weight bearing views and manual stress views can be used to measure for medial clear space widening. However, these views are sometimes difficult to assess due to the patient’s pain level after an acute injury.
In-office point-of-care ultrasound has been studied to evaluate for dynamic instability. A study published in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons assessed the use of ultrasound to assess for medial clear space widening. They used a linear probe and assessed the medical clear space with the patient in lateral decubitus position.
The measurement was made first with the foot being held in dorsiflexion and then plantarflexion. Then, the foot was allowed to fall with gravity and the measurement was made again. Visualization of medial clear space testing A study published in Foot & Ankle International looked for deltoid ligament disruption as a surrogate for ankle stability with ultrasound.
A typical deltoid ligament was measured with the patient in the lateral decubitus position and the ankle placed on a soft bump. The deltoid ligament in an uninjured ankle measured 4 to mm in diameter. Providers evaluated for loss of continuity of the tendon.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to dynamic ultrasound for assessing ankle stability, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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