Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle

The deltoid ligament of the ankle is a critical stabilizer of the medial aspect of the joint, often implicated in injuries ranging from sprains to complex fracture-dislocation scenarios. Injuries to the deltoid ligament are less common than lateral ankle sprains but can lead to chronic instability a...

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Main Authors: Robert C. Manske, Chris Wolfe, Phil Page, Michael Voight
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2025-04-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.132251
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author Robert C. Manske
Chris Wolfe
Phil Page
Michael Voight
author_facet Robert C. Manske
Chris Wolfe
Phil Page
Michael Voight
author_sort Robert C. Manske
collection DOAJ
description The deltoid ligament of the ankle is a critical stabilizer of the medial aspect of the joint, often implicated in injuries ranging from sprains to complex fracture-dislocation scenarios. Injuries to the deltoid ligament are less common than lateral ankle sprains but can lead to chronic instability and dysfunction if not properly diagnosed and managed. Accurate diagnosis of deltoid ligament injuries is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for ligament assessment, diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. This article reviews the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the deltoid ligament, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for rehabilitation professionals. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies for optimal patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-bed8c8b009da43d498e1166242b8e83a2025-08-20T03:44:35ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962025-04-0120410.26603/001c.132251Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the AnkleRobert C. ManskeChris WolfePhil PageMichael VoightThe deltoid ligament of the ankle is a critical stabilizer of the medial aspect of the joint, often implicated in injuries ranging from sprains to complex fracture-dislocation scenarios. Injuries to the deltoid ligament are less common than lateral ankle sprains but can lead to chronic instability and dysfunction if not properly diagnosed and managed. Accurate diagnosis of deltoid ligament injuries is essential for appropriate treatment planning and optimizing patient outcomes. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for ligament assessment, diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound offers a portable, real-time, and cost-effective alternative that is gaining traction in rehabilitation and sports medicine settings. This article reviews the utility of MSK ultrasound in evaluating the deltoid ligament, including its anatomy, common injury patterns, sonographic techniques, and clinical implications for rehabilitation professionals. By integrating MSK ultrasound into clinical practice, providers can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, monitor healing progression, and guide rehabilitation strategies for optimal patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.132251
spellingShingle Robert C. Manske
Chris Wolfe
Phil Page
Michael Voight
Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle
title_full Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle
title_fullStr Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle
title_short Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Deltoid Ligament of the Ankle
title_sort diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound in the evaluation of the deltoid ligament of the ankle
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.132251
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