Relationship between chronic ankle sprain instability and ultrasonographic evaluation of the peroneus during a single-leg standing task.
Takaki Yoshida, Toshiaki Suzuki
PMID 32082025WHAT IT FOUND
Nine students with chronic ankle instability had weaker ankle valgus strength and more sway forward and up-down on the sprained side during one-leg standing.
Ultrasound showed a smaller long peroneus muscle angle, not thinner muscles.
Key findings
01Muscle thickness did not differ significantly between the sprained and non-sprained sides, but the long peroneus pennation angle was significantly lower on the sprained side.
02Ankle valgus muscle strength was significantly lower on the sprained side than on the non-sprained side.
03During one-leg standing, sway was significantly greater on the sprained side in the forward and vertical directions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only nine university students, and the authors state the number of participants was not enough. It compared the sprained side with the non-sprained side in the same people, so it did not show how these findings differ from people without chronic ankle instability. Participants were pain-free at measurement and were recruited from the researchers' own athletic club, which may limit how far the results apply. No rehabilitation intervention was tested, and the authors state the effect of rehabilitation on the sprained side was not determined. The paper reports several outcomes, including muscle thickness, pennation angle, strength, and sway, without naming a primary outcome.
Declared interests
The authors state no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that ultrasound shape, ankle valgus weakness, or one-leg sway changes prove why chronic ankle instability happens or that treating the long peroneus will fix balance. This was a small side-to-side comparison in nine students, and no rehabilitation intervention was tested.