Isolated calcaneofibular ligament injuries treated with osteopathic manipulative treatment: A case series

Abstract

This case series addresses several examples of isolated calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injuries and potential mechanisms of injury. Though previously assumed to be an uncommon injury, it should be considered in patients that have ankle inversion injuries or post-inversion sequelae that do not fit the classic inversion sprain criteria. To injure only the CFL, the foot must be maximally stressed in dorsiflexion and pronation. Post-injury, the patient would have to use the foot in dorsiflexion and/or pronation to feel the injury, which is not part of a normal gait cycle. The application of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to treating isolated calcaneofibular ligament injuries is instructive of the efficacy of the osteopathic approach in these cases and suggests that further research is warranted. It is possible that these injuries may be underreported. The data in one practice are analyzed.