RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Interest of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Severity of Lateral Ankle Sprain

This research is investigating whether ultrasound scans can give a clearer picture of how bad a lateral ankle sprain is, and if they can find any hidden complications. Ankle sprains are very common and often brushed off, but if not treated properly, they can lead to ongoing problems and pain. The study involves looking at information from people who have had their first ankle sprain, caused by sports or work, and caused problems with their daily activities. Participants had a clinical check-up, an ultrasound, and an MRI scan within the first month of their injury. Researchers are comparing these different ways of checking the ankle to see if ultrasound helps doctors understand the injury better and spot potential issues earlier, preventing long-term problems.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Enrolment target

Start

01 Dec 2021

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2027

Ankle Sprains

What is this study about?

Ankle sprains are a really common injury, and while they might seem minor, sometimes they can cause long-term problems. If an ankle sprain isn't properly diagnosed or treated, it can lead to ongoing pain and weakness in the ankle, making it sprain easily again. This study is exploring whether a type of scan called an ultrasound can help doctors get a better understanding of how severe an ankle sprain is and if there are any other problems that might not be obvious during a simple physical examination.

The main aim of this research is to see how good ultrasound scans are at showing doctors the exact nature and severity of a sprained ankle. They also want to compare these ultrasound findings with what doctors learn from a physical check-up and another type of scan called an MRI. By doing this, they hope to find out if ultrasound can provide valuable information that helps with better treatment decisions.

Ultimately, the goal is to improve how doctors assess ankle sprains. If ultrasound can help spot problems early, it could lead to more effective treatment and prevent people from developing long-lasting ankle issues and pain.

Key takeaways

Ankle sprains are common but can lead to long-term issues if not well-understood.
This study investigated if ultrasound scans can better assess the severity of an ankle sprain.
Researchers compared ultrasound findings with physical exams and MRI scans.
The goal is to improve diagnosis and prevent future complications from ankle sprains.
The study used existing medical records, so there were no direct impacts on individuals.

Who may be eligible?

To be eligible for this study, you must be between 18 and 60 years old. You also need to have experienced your very first ankle sprain, meaning you've never sprained that ankle before. This first sprain must have been caused by either sports or work, and it should be serious enough to impact your ability to go about your usual activities.

However, there are certain reasons why you wouldn't be able to take part. You cannot join the study if you have any broken bones, a dislocated joint, or very loose ligaments in your ankle. Also, if you've sprained your ankle before, you wouldn't be able to participate. The study is open to both men and women.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Is this your very first ankle sprain?
Did your ankle sprain happen because of sports or work?
Did your ankle injury affect your ability to do daily activities?
Do you have no broken bones, dislocations, or very loose joints in your ankle?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study collected information from existing medical records. It wasn't a study where new patients were asked to do anything extra. Instead, it involved looking at previous patient data, including details about their general health, how they got injured, what doctors found during their examination, and how well their ankle was functioning. The study also looked at the results of ultrasound and MRI scans that were performed within the first month after their ankle sprain, all as part of their standard medical care. There were no additional visits or treatments required specifically for this study, as it used information that had already been gathered.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study only looked at existing medical records, there were no direct risks or benefits to the individuals whose data was used. Your participation in research is always voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw your consent for your data to be used at any point, even if you had previously agreed to it. The potential benefit of this type of study is that it might help improve how doctors diagnose and treat ankle sprains in the future, potentially leading to better outcomes for other patients.

Locations (1)

CHU Saint-Etienne
Verified postcode
Saint-Etienne, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an ankle sprain?

An ankle sprain happens when the tough bands of tissue (ligaments) that connect the bones in your ankle are stretched or torn, often when your ankle rolls or twists unexpectedly.

Why is this study important for ankle sprains?

It's important because sometimes ankle sprains can be more serious than they seem, leading to ongoing pain if not treated properly. This study helps doctors understand if ultrasound can give a clearer picture of the injury.

What is an ultrasound scan?

An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. It's often used to look at soft tissues like ligaments and muscles.

What is an MRI scan?

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It's another type of scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of organs and soft tissues in the body.

Will this study help my ankle sprain recover?

This particular study used past patient information to learn more about ankle sprains. It didn't involve new treatments for individual patients, but the findings could help improve future care for people with ankle sprains.

How to find out more

Thomas NERI, MD

thomas.neri@chu-st-etienne.fr (0)477127849 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.