Several previous studies indicate that patients who suffer from ankle sprains can develop osteoarthritis in future. These study results affirm that there exists an association between patients physical examination characteristics like pain at end of plantar flexion, reduced range of motion (ROM) in TCJ and TNJ, swelling and osteoarthritis.

To evaluate the relationship within patient history, physical examination and early osteoarthritis (OA) following a previous ankle sprain.

A total of 98 participants were involved in the sudy. MRI, patient history and physical examination were carried out. The relationship was found using the univariate and multivariable analyses. Forty percent of the signs of OA exhibited in the talocrural joint (TCJ) and 49% in the talonavicular joint (TNJ).

Multivariable analysis exhibited a considerable positive relationship between swelling, bone edema, and a variation in ROM of passive plantar flexion in the TCJ. The pain at the end range of dorsiflexion/plantar flexion and a variation in ROM of passive plantar flexion had correlation with osteophytes in the TNJ.

A variation in ROM of passive plantar flexion, swelling and pain at the end of dorsiflexion/plantar flexion seem to be correlated with characteristics of OA in the TCJ and TNJ. These outcomes may advise doctors to predict structural joint abnormalities as manifestations of osteoarthritis.