An Ultrasound Classification of Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) Injury

Yehua Cai; Shengkun Li; Shiyi Chen; Yinghui Hua; Jielin Shan

doi:10.2174/1874325001711010610

An Ultrasound Classification of Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL) Injury

Open Orthop J. 2017 Jul 31:11:610-616. doi: 10.2174/1874325001711010610. eCollection 2017.

Authors

Yehua Cai¹, Shengkun Li², Shiyi Chen², Yinghui Hua², Jielin Shan¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of sonography, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Background: To develop a classification of ATFL injury based on the ultrasonography.

Methods: The ultrasound images of 560 cases that had chronic ankle instability were studied from May 2012 to May 2015. All the patients accepted ultrasonography to type the ATFL injury.

Results: The ATFL injuries could be divided into six subtypes based on ultrasound imaging: I: Intact ligament; II: Injury at the fibular side; III:Injury at the talar side; IV: Tear at the midsubstance; V:Ligament absorbed; VI:Combined injury.

Conclusion: Ultrasound could be used to evaluate and type the injury of ATFL. This kind of classification could be helpful in the preoperative decision of ATFL procedure.

Keywords: Ankle; Anterior talofibular ligament; Classification; Injury; Ultrasound.