Quantitative analysis with load-displacement ratio measured via digital arthrometer in the diagnostic evaluation of chronic ankle instability: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research 2022-05, Vol.17 (1), p.287-287, Article 287
• Main Authors: Chen, Yungu, Cao, Shengxuan, Wang, Chen, Ma, Xin, Wang, Xu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; Ankle; Arthrometer; Chronic ankle instability; Cross-sectional studies; Demographics; Diagnosis; Diagnostic accuracy; Injuries; Instability; Ligaments; Load; Load–displacement ratio; Orthopedics; Quantitative analysis; Sensitivity; Specificity; Statistical analysis; Statistics
• ISSN: 1749-799X; 1749-799X
• DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-03177-3

Arthrometry has been introduced to evaluate the laxity of ankle joint in recent years. However, its role in the diagnosis of chronic ankle instability is still debatable. Therefore, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of a digital arthrometer in terms of sensitivity and specificity. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria proposed by the International Ankle Consortium, we recruited 160 uninjured ankles (control group) and 153 ankles with chronic ankle instability (CAI group). Ankle laxity was quantitively measured by a validated digital arthrometer. Data of loading force and joint displacement were recorded in a continuous manner. Differences between the control and CAI groups were compared using 2-tailed independent t test. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to calculate area under a curve, sensitivity and specificity. Load-displacement curves of the two groups were depicted. Differences of joint displacement between the control and CAI groups were compared at 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 N, which were all of statistical significance (all p