Using ultrasound to assess the severity of lateral ankle sprains

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

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · NCT04846712

This study is testing if ultrasound can better show how bad a lateral ankle sprain is compared to just a physical exam for people who have recently injured their ankle.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne (other)
Locations1 site (Saint-Etienne)
Trial IDNCT04846712 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound in diagnosing the severity of lateral ankle sprains. It hypothesizes that ultrasound can provide better characterization of the injury and identify complications that may be missed during a physical examination. Patients will undergo clinical assessments, ultrasound, and MRI within the first month of injury to compare the diagnostic capabilities of these methods. The study seeks to establish the value of ultrasound in determining the severity of ankle sprains and its potential advantages over traditional clinical assessments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals experiencing their first ankle sprain that results in sport or work-related disability.

Not a fit: Patients with fractures, dislocations, hyperlaxity, or those who have had previous ankle sprains may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate diagnoses and better management of ankle sprains, reducing the risk of chronic instability.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of ultrasound in musculoskeletal injuries is gaining traction, this specific approach to diagnosing ankle sprain severity is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* First ankle sprain with sport or work disability

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient with fractures, dislocation or hyperlaxity
* Previous ankle sprain

Where this trial is running

Saint-Etienne

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Ankle Sprains, Ankle, sprain, diagnosis, ultrasound, MRI

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.