Table 2.

The scoring system used to evaluate and compare the ultrasound images in the present report.

Score	Echogenicity	Fiber pattern/alignment	Size of ligament
0	Anechoic area (central core lesion)	Lacking of parallel pattern acute injury (hemorrhage), 0–25% FA	Enlarged width and thickness
1	Lesion site starting to fill with presence of hypo-echoic areas, and moderate diffuse decrease in echogenicity	Lacking of nice parallel pattern, 0–25% FA	Enlarged width and thickness
2	Lesion site gradually filling with presence of multiple areas with decreased echogenicity	Increased parallel pattern, 25–50% FA	Enlarged width and thickness
3	Demarcation between injured and uninjured tendon less distinct, hypo-echoic areas are remaining	Increased parallel pattern, 25–50% FA	Mild enlarged width and thickness
4	Hardly any demarcation between injured and healthy tissue, faint signs of hypo-echoic areas	Close to total fiber alignment, 75–100% FA	Almost no enlarged width and thickness
5	Echogenicity (almost) identical to contralateral ligament	Close to total fiber alignment, 75–100% FA	No enlarged width and thickness

Different parameters, such as echogenicity, fiber pattern/alignment (FA) grading, and size (width and thickness) of the ligament, were considered and compared to the contralateral limb.