Corpus3D

Ankle and foot

Lateral ankle ligament injury

Mechanism
Forced inversion with plantar flexion. In that position the anterior talofibular ligament alone is under tension; with more force the calcaneofibular ligament follows, and only with severe force the posterior talofibular ligament.
Recognition
Swelling and tenderness in front of and below the lateral malleolus, difficulty bearing weight, and a positive ankle anterior drawer after a few days. Always run the Ottawa ankle rules first.
Course
Most ankles are functionally recovered within six weeks, but up to a third keep residual complaints or sprain again. Persisting lateral pain after three months more often points to an osteochondral defect or cuboid subluxation than to the ligaments themselves.
What the guideline recommends
Functional treatment with early weight bearing and a brace gives faster recovery than immobilisation. Proprioceptive training lowers the chance of recurrence.

Structures

Joints involved

Clinical tests

Sources