After an ankle sprain, structural abnormalities can be seen on MRI. The study was carried out to find out the correlation between physical examination, patient history, and early osteoarthritis (OA) in patients after a previous ankle sprain. For this study around 98 patients with persistent complaints were selected from a cross-sectional study. Patient history and physical examination and MRI were obtained. To test possible associations, Univariate and multivariable analyses were carried out. Signs of OA i. e., cartilage loss, osteophytes and bone marrow oedema were observed in the talocrural joint (TCJ) in 40% of patients and the talonavicular joint (TNJ) in 49% of patients.

The multivariable analysis evaluated:
1) a significant positive association between swelling
2) a difference in ROM of passive plantar flexion 
3) bone oedema in the TCJ.

A difference in the range of motion (ROM) of passive plantar flexion and pain at the end range of dorsiflexion/plantar flexion was associated with osteophytes in the TNJ. Pain at the end of dorsiflexion/plantar flexion and a difference in ROM of passive plantar flexion and swelling seemed to be associated with features of OA (bone marrow oedema, osteophytes) in the TCJ and TNJ.
Therefore, the findings of the study might be guidance for physicians to predict structural joint abnormalities as signs of osteoarthritis.