My Orthopaedic Surgeon

Ankle sprains are the most common sports injuries encountered today. These injuries occur frequently. Complications associated with prolonged ankle pain, a high recurrence rate, and chronic ankle laxity underline the importance of careful diagnosis and treatment of ankle sprains.
Synonyms and related keywords: acute ankle sprain, turned ankle, stretched ankle, deltoid ligament sprain, anterior talofibular sprain, talofibular sprain, medial or lateral ankle sprains, distal talofibular syndesmotic sprain, high ankle sprain, inversion sprain, chronic ankle sprain, chronic ankle laxity, double ligament lateral ankle sprain, ankle pain, twisted ankle
Author: Ray Foster, MB, ChB, FACS

A large percentage of musculoskeletal injuries observed in the outpatient setting involve the ankle. Sprains constitute 85% of all ankle injuries. Of these, 85% are inversion sprains. Up to one sixth of participation time lost from sports results from ankle sprains. Proper rehabilitation begins with accurate diagnosis because up to 40% of patients with untreated or misdiagnosed ankle injuries develop chronic symptoms. Most injuries respond to treatment. Pain reduction is essential, but improvement of any loss of motion, strength, and/or proprioception is equally important.
Synonyms and related keywords: ankle sprain, ankle strain, inversion ankle injury, eversion ankle injury, ankle pain
Author: Marlon P Rimando, MD 2007

The ankle joint has many functions, one of which is to allow the body to adapt to uneven terrain during ambulation. Failure to compensate for uneven footing may result in an ankle injury. Eighty-five percent of ankle injuries are sprains, and of those sprains, 85% are lateral inversion sprains. Although athletes usually recover quickly from ankle sprains, failure to appropriately rehabilitate these injuries imposes an increased risk for future injury.
Synonyms and related keywords: anterior talofibular ligament sprain, deltoid ligament sprain, high ankle sprain, lateral ankle sprain, medial ankle sprain, rolled ankle, syndesmosis sprain, turned ankle, twisted ankle
Author: Craig C Young, MD 2008

Quantitative Assessment of Mechanical Laxity in the Functionally Unstable Ankle Posted 06/01/2004 Tricia J. Hubbard; Thomas W. Kaminski; Robert A. Vander Griend; John E. Kovaleski
Delineating between functional and mechanical instability in those with chronic ankle dysfunction is a challenging task. Current methods of assessing ankle ligamentous laxity are subjective in nature and limit our ability to identify the site and extent of instability; therefore, a need exists for objective laxity measurements. The purpose of this study was to determine whether subjects with self-reported, functional ankle instability (FAI) demonstrated increased mechanical laxity when tested with instrumented arthrometry and stress radiography.
Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(5):760-766, 2004.

Ankle sprains, especially of the lateral ligaments, are extremely common injuries in the athletic population. Despite the vast amount of research in this area, recurrences remain common. The recurrence rate for lateral ankle sprains has been reported to be as high as 80%.1 In one study, 75% of the ankle sprains in professional soccer players were in ankles with previous sprains or instability.2 In another study, the incidence of developing chronic ankle instability was 20-40% of those who had previously sustained an acute ankle sprain.3 Neuromuscular and proprioceptive deficits are thought to be related to chronic ankle instability, including functional and mechanical insufficiencies.4
Synonyms and related keywords: recurrent ankle instability, chronic ankle sprain, chronic ankle instability, subtalar instability, functional ankle instability, chronic medial ligament instability, mechanical ankle instability
Bozzelle, Kishner & Laborde 2008

Most ankle sprains are due to inversion during extension (plantarflexion) of the ankle. Thus, approximately 85% of injuries involve the 3 distinct lateral ligaments: anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). Of sprains due to inversion, 65% are isolated to the ATFL. In some patients, the subtalar complex may also be injured. The CFL is rarely injured in isolation.
Synonyms and related keywords: ankle injury, soft tissue ankle injury, soft-tissue ankle injury, ankle sprain, sprained ligament, twisted ankle, Ottawa ankle rules, sports-related ankle injury, ankle injuries, anterior talofibular ligament rupture, ATFL rupture, recurrent ankle sprain, calcaneofibular ligament rupture, CFL rupture, posterior talofibular ligament rupture, PTFL rupture, distal tibiofibular syndesmotic rupture, superior peroneal retinaculum rupture, ankle ligaments, inversion ankle injury
Author: Christopher F Richards, MD 2007

Cochrane Rev Abstract. 2007
Authors' conclusions The extent and quality of the available evidence for the effects of ultrasound therapy for acute ankle sprains is limited. The results of four placebo – controlled trials do not support the use of ultrasound in the treatment of ankle sprains. The magnitude of treatment effects are generally small and of limited clinical importance. As yet, only few trials are available and no conclusions can be made regarding any optimal dosage schedule for ultrasound therapy, and whether such a schedule would improve the reported lack of effectiveness of ultrasound for ankle sprains.