Real-Time Sonoelastography Evaluation of the Lateral Collateral Ligament of Ankle: Comparative Findings Between Athletes and Healthy Subjects

Özet

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the sonography and elastography findings in the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury due to recurrent ankle sprains and to compare them to those of healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 108 ankles in 54 athletes and 60 ankles in 30 healthy volunteers were included. The LCL, consisting of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) and the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), was evaluated for images in the following three sections: proximal, middle and distal. Longitudinal images of each ten- don were obtained using ultrasound (US) and real-time sonoelastography. Degeneration of each tendon was evaluated in four grades and the length and thickness were measured in sonographic images. Real-time sonoelastography images were evaluated in four grades for elasticity pattern and strain ratios. Results: The length of ATFL was shorter in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.028). There was no difference between the patient and control group for ligament thicknes. Sonographic grades in the patient group were statistically increased compared to thecontrol group for ATFL, CFL and PTFL ligaments (p<0.001). Conclusion: US can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic method to demonstrate ankle LCL injuries in athletes. Real-time sonoelastography provides useful additional information for the evaluation of patients with chronic sprains of the ankle LCL.