MRI of the AFTL of the ankle version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MRI of of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) of the ankle in healthy volunteers
IRAS ID
272602
Contact name
Mary Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Fortius Clinic
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
Can we demonstrate the individual bundles of the lateral ankle ligaments in healthy volunteers?
Lateral ankle sprains are a common injury that may lead to chronic ankle instability, due to damage to the lateral ligament complex. Historically three lateral ligaments have been described, one at the front, one at the middle and one at the back. The front ligament, the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is most commonly affected in lateral ligament injuries. In a recent anatomical study it was shown that the ATFL is in fact not a single ligament but consist of at least two individual bundles (a top and a bottom one) These two bundles have different anatomical locations and different functions. We think that being able to differentiate between patients with different injury patterns to these ligaments, for example between patients who tore one or both bundles, may be important in determining optimal treatment of these injuries. Furthermore it may also aid us in identifying patients that may require surgical stabilisation.
Currently lateral ankle ligament injuries are diagnosed by MRI scanning. However, commonly used scanning protocols of the ankle are insufficient to visualize the individual bundles properly. We have identified a specific scanning sequence, which we think would be suitable to evaluate the bundles of the ATFL in detail.
Therefore in this study, 10 volunteers without a history of lateral ligament injury to the scanned ankle and without general contra-indications to MRI scanning will undergo an MRI scan of their ankle at the Fortius Clinic in London.
The aim is to describe whether it is possible to visualise the individual bundles of the ATLF and describe their exact anatomical locations.Future studies could then be directed at imaging injury to the individual bundles of the ATFL.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0383
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion