Arı, MCKöksal, NKural, CBaca, E2026-03-312026-03-3120251306-696X1307-7945http://dx.doi.org/10.14744/tjtes.2025.48242https://hdl.handle.net/11491/9665BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate changes in vibration sensation in patients with anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) rupture following acute ankle sprain and to assess its potential use as a proprioceptive assessment tool. METHODS: A 128 Hz tuning fork was applied to the ATFL region-identified as ruptured via ultrasound-while the ankle was positioned in inversion and plantar flexion. Vibration duration was measured using a stopwatch. Data were compared with those from a healthy population and from patients with lateral ankle edema following acute sprain without rupture. The study was prospectively RESULTS: A total of 81 patients (48 male, 33 female) were included, with a mean age of 29.19 years. Among the 27 patients with ATFL rupture, nine had an additional calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injury and five had an additional posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL) injury (Grade 2-3). The mean vibration duration in ATFL rupture patients was 5.72 seconds on the injured side and 7.87 seconds on the uninjured side, showing a statistically significant difference (p=0.001). At the 12-week follow-up, the mean vibration time improved to 7.65 seconds, which was also statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Proprioceptive impairment due to acute ATFL rupture was associated with reduced vibration sensation at the rupture site. As proprioception improved, vibration sensation also recovered. Therefore, vibration measurement using a tuning fork may serve as a practical proprioceptive assessment tool and an adjunctive diagnostic method.enAnterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)tuning forkproprioceptionvibrationArticle311210.14744/tjtes.2025.48242WOS:00165332580000641424425