Recognition of ankle sprain: not only lateral collateral ligament injury

Abstract

Ankle sprains are a common cause of morbidity in the general and athletic population. The majority of sprains involve the lateral aspect of the ankle, affecting the anterior talofibular ligament. However, the extent and categories of injury will depend upon the mechanism of injury. The ankle injury caused by ankle sprain is not only the injury of lateral collateral ligaments, but also chondral or osteochondral lesions of the talus, anterior ankle impingement, posterior ankle impingement and so on. In addition to the involvement of ankle joint, ankle sprain often leads to the injury of subtalar joint and transverse tarsal joint, even stress fracture, special part fracture or tendon soft tissue injury; multiple injuries often coexist. In clinical work, we should pay more attention to it.