RÉSUMÉ
Objective To analyze the changes in the anterior talofibular ligament(ATFL)after injury in patients with ankle sprains.Methods A total of 97 ATFL injury patients with ankle sprains exceeding 3 months and clinical symptoms were selected as injury group from the outpatient department of Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021.During the same period,A total of 112 healthy individuals were recruited as control group.The echo changes of ATFL on both sides of the enrolled patients were explored under the natural and stress states of the ankle joint,the length,width,and thickness of ATFL were measured.The ATFL data changes of the two groups of enrolled patients were statistically analyzed.Results The ATFL boundaries of patients in injury group were mostly unclear,and the ligament echoes were disordered;The ATFL boundaries of control group participants were clear,with uniform echoes.There were no statistically significant differences in the length,width,and thickness of ATFL on both sides(P>0.05).The comparison of ATFL on both sides of injury group patients showed an increase in the length and thickness of ATFL on the injured side,with statistical significance(P<0.05),while the difference in width was no statistically significant(P>0.05).The length and width of ATFL increased in injury group of patients with natural injury than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01),while the difference in thickness was not statistically significant(P>0.05);The length and width of ATFL in injury group of patients increased under stress than those in control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01),while the difference in thickness was no statistically significant(P>0.05).The comparison of the difference in length,width,and thickness of ATFL between the two groups of participants under non stress and stress states showed that the differences in length and thickness of ATFL in injury group were statistically significant(P<0.01),while the difference in width change was no statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion The length of ATFL in patients with ankle sprains significantly increases under stress and natural conditions,and the difference in ATFL length changes was also more pronounced.