The Significant Ankle Ligament Injury (SALI) Cohort Study  

Overview:

Ankle sprains are a common injury, accounting for 5% of Emergency Department visits annually in the UK. They are often considered a minor injury, however a third of patients suffer from lasting problems, such as pain and disability. Around 7 in 10 people diagnosed with ankle osteoarthritis have previously suffered an injury (fracture) to their ankle. There is limited research looking at the association of a severe ankle sprain and future development of ankle osteoarthritis 

The SALI study is a 15 year study which uses a series of questionnaires to follow up individuals who suffer a severe ankle sprain (those that have a clear x-ray in the Emergency Department). 

Aims and Objectives:

1. To identify why some people still have problems with their ankle months and years after injury. 

2. To determine who is more likely to still have problems with their ankle after injury. 

3. To identify why some people develop ankle osteoarthritis after their injury and who is more likely to do so (e.g. are there certain characteristics that make people more likely to develop osteoarthritis).  

Outputs:

• Bestwick-Stevenson T. Wyatt L.A., Palmer D, Kluzek S, Batt M, Scammell B.E. Abstract poster "Population Risk Factors for Significant Ankle Ligament Injury: Large Multicentre UK Based Study (SALI Study).” OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Berlin. 7-10 April 2022. (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 01 April 2022. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.343).

  Bestwick-Stevenson T, Wyatt L.A, Palmer D, Kluzek S, Batt M, Scammell B.E. Abstract poster “Poor Recovery Following a Significant Ankle Sprain: Risk Factors from a Large Multicentre Cohort Study (SALI Study).” OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Berlin. 7-10 April 2022. (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 01 April 2022. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.344). 

  Bestwick-Stevenson T, Wyatt L.A, Palmer D, Kluzek S, Batt M, Scammell B.E. Abstract poster  "Association Between Pain, Function, and Physical Activity Levels After Significant Ankle Ligament Injury (SALI Study).” OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Berlin. 7-10 April 2022. (Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 01 April 2022. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2022.02.500).

  Bestwick-Stevenson T, Wyatt L.A, Palmer D, Ching A, Kerslake R, Coffey F, Batt M.E and Scammell B.E. Incidence and risk factors for poor ankle functional recovery, and the development and progression of posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis after significant ankle ligament injury (SALI): the SALI cohort study protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. April 2021. Doi 10.1186/s12891-021-04230-8 

Work Package	Early Disease and Risk Prediction: Prevent
Objective	3.1, 3.2i
Lead	Thomas Bestwick-Stevenson
Investigators	Stefan Kluzek and Brigitte Scammell
Institution	University of Nottingham