Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in acute lateral ankle ligament injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The gold standard diagnostic method for acute lateral ankle ligament sprain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, it is hardly accessible and is time-consuming. Therefore, additional diagnostic methods are warranted. Point-of-care ultrasound, on the other hand, is inexpensive, widely available, time-efficient testing method. PURPOSE: Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for acute ankle ligament injuries compared to MRI. METHODS: In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we followed the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook. We searched the following databases from inception to March 31, 2022: Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies investigated the diagnostic accuracy of US compared to MRI for diagnosing acute lateral ankle ligament injuries. Finally, we calculated pooled sensitivity and specificity with a 95 % confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Eight studies met our eligibility criteria, involving 434 patients. For anterior tibiofibular ligament (ATFL) injury, the summary sensitivity and specificity were Se = 0.97 (CI: 0.89-0.99) and Sp = 0.93 (CI: 0.84-0.97). For calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injury, the summary sensitivity and specificity were Se.: Se = 0.81 (CI: 0.58-0.93) and Sp = 0.92 [0,81;0,97]. In addition, subgroup analysis based on US performed by different types of investigators was comparable between each other (radiologist group Se = 0.98, CI: 0.24-1, and Sp = 0.91, CI: 0.74-0.97, and the orthopedic/ emergency department group Se = 0.96, CI: 0-1, and Sp = 0.97, CI: 0-1). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound showed high diagnostic accuracy for acute lateral ankle ligament injury, irrespective of the investigator. Therefore, based on the current available data, it could be used in primary diagnostics of acute lateral ankle ligament injury.

Subvastus Approach Supporting Fast-Track Total Knee Arthroplasty Over the Medial Parapatellar Approach: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous surgical approaches are being used to perform total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare surgical approaches used in TKA regarding postoperative outcomesat different time points. METHODS: We performed a literature search from medical database inception until October 2, 2021. We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating patients undergoing TKA and comparing at least 2 surgical approaches regarding early postsurgical clinical outcomes (range of motion [ROM], pain on a visual analog scale, and Knee Society Score [KSS]). We included 33 RCTs in our networks. Using paired and network meta-analysis, we calculated pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs by comparing surgical approaches to the medial parapatellar method. RESULTS: The subvastus (SV) method performed the best on days 1 (MD = 6.99; CI: 1.08; 12.89), 3 (MD = 8.00; CI: 2.08; 13.92), 4 (MD = 27.01; CI: 18.09; 35.92), and 6 (MD = 27.22; CI: 18.38; 36.07) for ROM improvement. Regarding the decrease in pain, the mini SV approach offered significantly lower pain values on days 1 (MD = -1.98; CI: -2.93; -1.03), 3 (MD = -0.85; CI: -1.49; -0.22), and 7 (MD = -1.90; CI: -2.23; -1.57). The differences decreased as time passed. Furthermore, the SV and mini-SV methods performed the best regarding total, knee and function KSS. CONCLUSION: Quadriceps-sparing approaches, especially the SV and mini-SV, are superior to the other approaches in the early postsurgical period, but the differences decrease as time passes.