Reliability of ultrasonography measurement of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) length in healthy subjects (in vivo), based on examiner experience and patient positioning.

Background: The most common cause of ankle injury is the supination trauma, inflicting a partial or complete rupture of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Among conventional diagnostic tools and procedures of sports injuries, the method of stress-ultrasonography is reportedly a promising diagnostic tool for examining injuries of the lateral ligaments of the ankle. Preceding studies predominantly examined the comparability of stress-ultrasonography and other established diagnostic tools in terms of efficacy, viability and quality.