European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

with chronic ankle pain and/or instability.
Methods: Retrospective review of MRI images and medical reports was performed for all
patients who required surgical treatment for chronic ankle instability at two institutions
during a four-year period. Medical reports of 22 female and 20 male patients with a mean
age of 35.9 years (17–58 years) were analysed. From 42 patients who met the inclusion
criteria, only 20 patients underwent surgery. Surgical findings were considered the gold
standard. The time interval between MRI scans and arthroscopy/surgery was 5 months (3–
10 months).
Results: MRI showed 100% sensitivity for the diagnosis of anterior talofibular ligament
(ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and 66.7% sensitivity for the diagnosis of
deltoid ligament tears. However, specificity was moderate to low, particularly for deltoid
tears. Our study also demonstrated the high accuracy of MRI in detecting chondral injury
with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Clinical tests, particularly tenderness on palpation and