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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2023; 27(03): 231-244
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1767767
Review Article

Ankle Instability Update

Alvaro Cerezal
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain
,
Ronald Ocampo
2   Department of Radiology, Hospital de Trauma del Instituto Nacional de Seguros, San Jose, Costa Rica
,
Eva Llopis
3   Department of Radiology, Hospital IMSKE, Hospital de la Ribera, Valencia, Spain
,
Luis Cerezal 
4   Department of Radiology, Diagnóstico Médico Cantabria (DMC), Santander, Spain
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Abstract

Sprains are the most frequent injuries of the ankle, especially in sports. Up to 85% of cases affect the lateral ligament complex. Multi-ligament injuries with associated lesions of the external complex, deltoid, syndesmosis, and sinus tarsi ligaments are also common. Most ankle sprains respond to conservative treatment. However, up to 20 to 30% of patients can develop chronic ankle pain and instability.

New concepts have been recently developed, based on arthroscopic advances, such as microinstability and rotatory ankle instability. These entities could be precursors of mechanical ankle instability and at the origin of frequently associated ankle injuries, such as peroneus tendon lesions, impingement syndromes, or osteochondral lesions.

Imaging methods, especially magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography, are key in precisely diagnosing ligament lesions and associated injuries, facilitating an adequate therapeutic approach.

Keywords

sprain - ankle ligaments - microinstability - anterior talofibular ligament - rotatory ankle instability


Publication History

Article published online:
25 May 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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