Value of stress ultrasound for the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability compared to manual anterior drawer test,stress radiography,magnetic resonance imaging,and arthroscopy

Purpose

Clinicians frequently diagnose chronic ankle instability using the manual anterior drawer test and stress radiography. However, both examinations can yield incorrect results and do not reveal the extent of ankle instability. Stress ultrasound has been reported to be a new diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of stress ultrasound for chronic ankle instability compared to the manual anterior drawer test, stress radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopy.

Methods

Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent ankle arthroscopy and subsequent modified Broström repair for treatment of chronic ankle instability were included. The arthroscopic findings were used as the reference standard. A standardized physical examination (manual anterior drawer test), stress radiography, MRI, and stress ultrasound were performed to assess the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) prior to operation. Ultrasound images were taken in the resting position and the maximal anterior drawer position.

Results

Grade 3 lateral instability was verified arthroscopically in all 28 cases with a clinical diagnosis (100 %). Twenty-two cases showed grade III instability on the manual anterior drawer test (78.6 %). Twenty-four cases displayed anterior translation exceeding 5 mm on stress radiography (86 %), and talar tilt angle exceeded 15° in three cases (11 %). Nineteen cases displayed a partial chronic tear (change in thickness or signal intensity), and nine cases displayed complete tear on MRI (100 %). Lax and wavy ATFL was evident on stress ultrasound in all cases (100 %). The mean value of the ATFL length was 2.8 ± 0.3 cm for the stressed condition and 2.1 ± 0.2 cm for the resting condition (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Stress ultrasound may be useful for the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability in addition to the manual anterior drawer test and stress radiography.

Level of evidence

III.

     

Examination of the sprained ankle: anterior drawer test or arthrography?

The accuracy of the anterior drawer test for the diagnosis of recent lateral ligament tears in the ankle was evaluated in a series of 192 patients using surgical or arthrographic findings for reference. Considerable overlapping of results was obtained in ankles with and without ligament tear. Twenty-eight per cent of the anterior talofibular ligament tears, and 38% of the combined anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular tears were not detected, and single and combined tears could not be differentiated. It is concluded that the anterior drawer test is too unreliable as a basis for any decision regarding surgical treatment of a recent sprain. Therefore, arthrography is recommended as the method of choice in such cases of recent ankle sprain, where the need of surgery has to be supported by X-ray analysis.     

The ankle meter: an instrument for evaluation of anterior talar drawer in ankle sprain

The aim of this study was to work out a clinical test which is possible to measure the anterior talar drawer (ATD) in patients after ankle sprain. The instrument for evaluation was called ankle meter. The instrument consists of two plastic scales (heal scale and tibia scale). The instrument allows quantifying the results of the anterior drawing test. A total of 38 persons (16 men, 22 women) were available as control group. The persons were 28.8±10.1 years old. No proband had any ankle problems in his history. A total of 45 patients (25 males, 20 females) suffering from ankle sprain were included in the study. In these patients stress radiography (147.1 N) was performed to measure the ATD. In control group the clinical measured ATD was 1.7±1.3 mm. Measurement for detect the interobserver validity did not detect significant differences. The ATD of the joint after ankle sprain was significantly higher (8.9±4.3 mm). The difference between healthy and injured ankle in case of an ankle sprain was 7.4±4.2 mm. There was a significant correlation between clinical and radiological measured ATD (R=0.91). The results suggest that it is possible to measure the ATD exactly. The values of the clinical ATD measurement showed a good correlation with the results of stress radiography. Diligent clinical examination in combination with this special test are after this experiences sufficient to classify the severity of injury after ankle sprain.     

慢性外踝关节不稳定的影像学诊断

目的探讨应力位片在慢性外踝关节不稳定诊断中的意义,提出影像学的定量诊断方法。方法随机选择慢性外踝关节不稳的陆军士兵40人共42侧患踝,正常对照组40人共80侧踝。拍摄前抽屉试验侧位片及内翻应力正位片,分别测量距骨前移距离(ATT)及距骨斜角(TT)。结果患侧ATT平均7.8mm,TT平均9.1°,而健侧分别为5.4mm及5.4°,对照组为6.1mm及4.9°,患侧与健侧及对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.01),健侧与对照组比较差异无显著性。患侧与健侧距骨前移距离差值(△ATT)平均2.4mm,距骨斜角差值(△TT)平均3.7°,而对照组分别为0.9mm及1.1°,与慢性外踝关节不稳的40例比较差异显著(P<0.01)。118例正常踝关节ATT、TT的P95分别为8mm及9°。结论前抽屉试验侧位片及内翻应力正位片对于慢性外踝不稳诊断具有重要意义。前抽屉试验侧位片中ATT≥8mm、△ATT≥2mm,内翻应力正位片中TT≥9°、△ATT≥3°可作为衡量踝关节不稳定的标准。     

Diagnostic validity of alternative manual stress radiographic technique detecting subtalar instability with concomitant ankle instability

Purpose

To incorporate a diagnostic technique for measuring subtalar motion, namely “talar rotation”, into the manual supination-anterior drawer stress radiographs for evaluation of the severity of rotational instability, and to determine its clinical relevance.

Methods

Sixty-six patients with combined injuries of the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) underwent three bilateral manual stress radiographs, and mean increments of anterior talar translation (mm), talar tilt (°), and talar rotation (%) in the injured ankle compared to the normal opposite side were measured with the technique. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability of each measure was assessed, and the difference in the degree of increments was compared according to the presence of additional cervical ligament insufficiency.

Results

Ankle stress radiographic intraobserver and interobserver agreement was ICC = 0.91 and 0.82 for talar rotation (%), ICC = 0.64 and 0.51 for anterior talar translation, and ICC = 0.78 and 0.71 for talar tilt angle, respectively. In group 2 including patients with combined injuries of the ATFL and CFL along with additional cervical ligament insufficiency, a significantly higher increment of talar rotation, mean 6.4 % (SD 3.4 %), was observed compared to that of talar rotation, mean 4.1 % (SD 2.7 %), in the other group (group 1) with an intact cervical ligament (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

A new comprehensive stress radiographic technique for diagnosis of chronic lateral ankle instability presented in this study might be a reliable and representable measurement tool to assess additional injury or instability of the subtalar joint.

Level of evidence

Prospective cohort study, Level II.

     

Diagnostic accuracy of instrumented and manual talar tilt tests in chronic ankle instability populations

Diagnostic accuracy of the talar tilt test is not well established in a chronic ankle instability (CAI) population. Our purpose was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of instrumented and manual talar tilt tests in a group with varied ankle injury history compared with a reference standard of self‐report questionnaire. Ninety‐three individuals participated, with analysis occurring on 88 (39 CAI, 17 ankle sprain copers, and 32 healthy controls). Participants completed the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool, arthrometer inversion talar tilt tests (LTT), and manual medial talar tilt stress tests (MTT). The ability to determine CAI status using the LTT and MTT compared with a reference standard was performed. The sensitivity (95% confidence intervals) of LTT and MTT was low [LTT = 0.36 (0.23–0.52), MTT = 0.49 (0.34–0.64)]. Specificity was good to excellent (LTT: 0.72–0.94; MTT: 0.78–0.88). Positive likelihood ratio (+ LR) values for LTT were 1.26–6.10 and for MTT were 2.23–4.14. Negative LR for LTT were 0.68–0.89 and for MTT were 0.58–0.66. Diagnostic odds ratios ranged from 1.43 to 8.96. Both clinical and arthrometer laxity testing appear to have poor overall diagnostic value for evaluating CAI as stand‐alone measures. Laxity testing to assess CAI may only be useful to rule in the condition.     

Quantitative evaluation of the viscoelastic properties of the ankle joint complex in patients suffering from ankle sprain by the anterior drawer test

Purpose

Biological tissues such as ligaments exhibit viscoelastic behaviours. Injury to the ligament may induce changes of these viscoelastic properties, and these changes could serve as biomarkers to detect the injury. In the present study, a novel instrument was developed to non-invasive quantify the viscoelastic properties of the ankle in vivo by the anterior drawer test. The purpose of the study was to investigate the reliability of the instrument and to compare the viscoelastic properties of the ankle between patients suffering from ankle sprain and controls.

Methods

Eight patients and eight controls participated in the present study. The reliability test was performed on three randomly chosen subjects. In patient and control test, both ankles of each subject were tested to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the ankle. The viscosity index was defined for quantitatively evaluating the viscosity of the ankle. Greater viscosity index was associated with lower viscosity. Injured and uninjured ankles of patient and both ankles of controls were compared.

Results

The instrument exhibited excellent test–retest reliability (r > 0.9). Injured ankles exhibited significantly less viscosity than uninjured ankles, since injured ankles of patients had significantly higher viscosity index (8,148 ± 5,266) compared with uninjured ankles of patients (948 ± 617; p = 0.008) and controls (1,326 ± 613; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study revealed that the viscoelastic properties of the ankle can serve as sensitive and useful clinical biomarkers to differentiate between injured and uninjured ankles. The method may provide a clinical examination for objectively evaluating lateral ankle ligament injuries.     

Neonatal hip instability: a prospective comparison of clinical examination and anterior dynamic ultrasound

Background: Ultrasound is increasingly being used to complement the clinical examination in assessing neonatal hip instability. The clinical examination, although highly sensitive in detecting hip instability, can lead to considerable overtreatment.

Purpose: To compare anterior dynamic ultrasound and clinical examination in the assessment of neonatal hip instability and regarding treatment rates.

Material and Methods: 536 newborn infants (out of a population of 18,031) were selected, on the basis of a combination of risk factors, clinical signs of hip instability or ambiguous clinical findings, to undergo an anterior dynamic ultrasound examination of the hip, by a method developed by our group. This examination, performed by one out of seven experienced examiners, was compared with the standard clinical hip examination conducted by one of four pediatric orthopedic surgeons. The clinical examination was carried out both prior to and within a few hours after the ultrasound examination.

Results: The clinical examination diagnosed 81.7% of the hips as normal, 14.5% as unstable, and 3.8% as dislocatable or dislocated. With the dynamic ultrasound method, the corresponding figures were 87.8%, 10.4%, and 1.8%, respectively. Use of the criteria of the clinical examination resulted in treatment of 147 infants. Using the dynamic ultrasound examination as a criterion meant that 87 infants would receive treatment. The calculated treatment rate was 0.85% when based on the clinical stress test and 0.49% when based on the dynamic ultrasound.

Conclusion: The dynamic ultrasound results reduced the treatment rate by over 40% when used as a basis for the decision regarding treatment.     

The diagnostic accuracy of ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament comparing the Lachman test, the anterior drawer sign, and the pivot shift test in acute and chronic knee injuries

Eighty-five patients with knee injuries were included in a 4 month retrospective study that compared the relative accuracy of the Lachman test, the anterior drawer sign, and the pivot shift test. All examinations were performed under anesthesia and followed by arthroscopy, which confirmed 22 injuries. Of all ACL injuries occurring within 2 weeks of arthroscopy (N = 9), the pivot shift test was the most sensitive (88.8%), followed by the Lachman test with a 77.7% sensitivity. The anterior drawer sign was the least sensitive at 22.2%. All had specificities more than 95%. For all injuries of more than 2 weeks (N = 13), the Lachman and pivot shift tests were 84.6% sensitive, while the anterior drawer sign increased to a sensitivity of 53.8%. Again, all were specific to more than 95%. For all ACL injuries, irrespective of age, the Lachman test was 81.8% sensitive and 96.8% specific; the anterior drawer sign was 40.9% sensitive and 95.2% specific; and the pivot shift was 81.8% sensitive and 98.4% specific. The data support an accurate preoperative diagnosis in ACL deficient knees when the Lachman and pivot shift tests are positive, and essentially rules out this type of injury when these tests are negative. The anterior drawer sign, although widely used, is a poor diagnostic indicator of ACL injuries, especially in the acute setting.     

The interrater reliability of dynamic leap and balance test in healthy and chronic ankle instability

The primary aim of this study was to assess the interrater reliability of the Dynamic Leap and Balance Test (DLBT) in chronic ankle instability (CAI) and healthy groups. The secondary aim was to assess the differences in errors and time taken to complete the DLBT between the two groups for both raters and to identify cutoff scores to distinguish between patients with CAI and healthy controls. This was a controlled laboratory reliability analysis study. Fourteen healthy college-aged subjects (9 women 5 men; weight = 62.10 ± 8.03; height = 168.35 ± 6.0) and sixteen with a history of CAI (9 women, 7 men; weight = 68.01 ± 10.74; height = 172.08 ± 11.37) participated. Interrater reliability was determined by independent raters for both total time taken to complete the task and errors made. The most optimal score to discriminate between two groups was determined by receiver operator curve analysis. Total time taken and errors made were also documented for group differences as secondary analysis. A strong agreement was found between the two raters for time and errors with intraclass correlation coefficient >0.80. Significantly (P < .05) higher number of errors were made and greater time taken by the CAI subjects when compared with healthy for both raters. The most optimal score to discriminate between CAI and healthy control was 43.28s and 4 errors. Excellent interrater reliability substantiates that it can be used confidently by different clinicians for testing dynamic balance. CAI group took more time and made more errors to complete the DLBT.     

Arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament repair for lateral instability of the ankle

Although several arthroscopic procedures for lateral ligament instability of the ankle have been reported recently, it is difficult to augment the reconstruction by arthroscopically tightening the inferior extensor retinaculum. There is also concern that when using the inferior extensor retinaculum, this is not strictly an anatomical repair since its calcaneal attachment is different to that of the calcaneofibular ligament. If a ligament repair is completed firmly, it is unnecessary to add argumentation with inferior extensor retinaculum. The authors describe a simplified technique, repair of the lateral ligament alone using a lasso-loop stitch, which avoids additionally tighten the inferior extensor retinaculum. In this paper, it is described an arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament repair using lasso-loop stitch alone for lateral instability of the ankle that is likely safe for patients and minimal invasive. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level V.     

Evaluation of anterior knee joint instability with the Rolimeter A test in comparison with manual assessment and measuring with the KT-1000 arthrometer

We report on a comparative measurement of anterior knee joint laxity on 30 healthy test subjects and 30 patients with anterior knee joint instability using a new knee testing device (Rolimeter) and the KT-1000 arthrometer compared to manual assessment of the anterior tibial translation in 30 ° flexion (Lachman’s test). We wanted to establish the reliability of the Rolimeter device compared to manual assessment and to the KT-1000 arthrometer. The statistical evaluation by means of an analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 5% showed no significant difference in the exactitude of measurement between the Rolimeter and the KT-1000 arthrometer, but altogether a significant difference between both instrumental methods compared with manual assessment. Thus the Rolimeter provides an economic, exact and simply operating device for quantifying anterior knee joint instability. Received: 5 September 1998 Accepted: 19 December 1998     

Acute lateral ankle sprain to chronic ankle instability: a pathway of dysfunction

Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) have been reported as one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries observed in sports and in individuals who are recreationally active. Approximately 40% of individuals who sustain a LAS develop a condition known as chronic ankle instability (CAI). Years of research has identified numerous impairments associated with CAI such as decreases in range of motion (ROM), strength, postural control, and altered movement patterns during functional activities when compared to individuals with no LAS history. As a result, an impairment-based rehabilitation model was developed to treat the common impairments associated with CAI. The impairment-based rehabilitation model has been shown to be an effective rehabilitation strategy at improving both clinical and patient-oriented outcomes in patients with CAI. To date, the efficacy of an impairment-based rehabilitation model has not been evaluated in patients with an acute LAS. Prior to implementing an impairment-based model for the treatment of an acute LAS, similarities between impairments associated with acute LAS and CAI across the spectrum of the healing process is warranted. Therefore, the purpose of this review paper is to compare and contrast impairments and treatment techniques in individuals with an acute LAS, sub-acute LAS, and CAI. A secondary purpose of this review is to provide clinical commentary on the management of acute LAS and speculate how the implementation of an impairment-based rehabilitation strategy for the treatment of acute LAS could minimize the development of CAI. The main findings of this review were that similar impairments (decreased ROM, strength, postural control, and functional activities) are observed in patients with acute LAS, sub-acute LAS, and CAI, suggesting that the impairments associated with CAI are a continuation from the original impairments developed during the initial LAS. Therefore, the use of an impairment-based model may be advantageous when treating patients with an acute LAS.     

踝关节本体感受器损伤与慢性踝关节不稳定关系的初步研究

目的 从新鲜尸体和踝关节不稳患者手术中所切取的韧带周围组织入手,分析踝关节周围本体感受器的性质和分布,并进一步与临床病例的生物力学、本体感觉功能检验结果相比较,判断和分析本体感受器受损在功能性踝关节不稳定中的作用.方法18例踝关节不稳患者行韧带重建手术.术前、术后分别行功能评分[美国骨科足踝医师协会(AOFAS)评分],平衡系统评价其本体感觉功能.从2例新鲜冰冻尸体踝关节韧带组织和手术中获取韧带组织标本,应用组织学方法和免疫组化染色观察分析感觉小体的结构特征和分布特点.结果 (1)标本发现Ⅰ型小体、Ⅱ型小体和Ⅳ型游离无神经鞘的神经末梢;这些感受器主要分布于韧带的浅层和近骨附着部.(2)患者重心摆动距离术前、术后睁眼与闭眼检测差异均有统计学意义;患者AOFAS评分手术前后差异有统计学意义.结论(1)踝关节不稳患者本体感觉功能受损,病史越长,症状越严重,功能评分越低,其本体感受受损越严重.(2)韧带感受器受损,与踝关节不稳症状相关联,韧带重建是避免感受器反复损伤的有效方法.

Abstract：

Objective To analyze the effect of ankle joint proprioceptor injury on the functional ankle instability. Methods The study enrolled 18 ( 13 males) with chronic ankle instability treated with ligament reconstruction operation. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AOFAS)score was used for evaluation of the function before and after operation and the balance system evaluate the proprioception function. The two ankle ligament specimens from fresh frozen body and the tissue samples from operation were used for investigation of the structure and distribution of the sensory corpuscles by using histology and immunohistoehemical staining. Results The sections were evaluated with a microscope and an image analyzer. Labeled nerve endings were mapped, measured and categorized. Type Ⅰ ( Ruffini-like ending) , type Ⅱ ( Pacinin-like corpuscle ) and type Ⅳ- (noncorpuscular) nerve endings could be identified in all the lateral ankle ligaments, with majority of types Ⅰ and Ⅱ nerve endings.These receptors were distributed primarily over the superficial ligament and near the bony attachments.There was statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative sway distance as well as between preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score. Conclusions This study suggests that the longer history,severer symptoms and lower AOFAS score may lead to the severer injury of the mechanical proprioceptors.The proprioceptor injury is correlated with ankle joint instability and the ligament reconstruction is effective to avoid the repeated injury of the proprioceptor.     

踝关节本体感受器损伤与慢性踝关节不稳定关系的初步研究

Objective To analyze the effect of ankle joint proprioceptor injury on the functional ankle instability. Methods The study enrolled 18 ( 13 males) with chronic ankle instability treated with ligament reconstruction operation. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AOFAS)score was used for evaluation of the function before and after operation and the balance system evaluate the proprioception function. The two ankle ligament specimens from fresh frozen body and the tissue samples from operation were used for investigation of the structure and distribution of the sensory corpuscles by using histology and immunohistoehemical staining. Results The sections were evaluated with a microscope and an image analyzer. Labeled nerve endings were mapped, measured and categorized. Type Ⅰ ( Ruffini-like ending) , type Ⅱ ( Pacinin-like corpuscle ) and type Ⅳ- (noncorpuscular) nerve endings could be identified in all the lateral ankle ligaments, with majority of types Ⅰ and Ⅱ nerve endings.These receptors were distributed primarily over the superficial ligament and near the bony attachments.There was statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative sway distance as well as between preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score. Conclusions This study suggests that the longer history,severer symptoms and lower AOFAS score may lead to the severer injury of the mechanical proprioceptors.The proprioceptor injury is correlated with ankle joint instability and the ligament reconstruction is effective to avoid the repeated injury of the proprioceptor.