Lateral ligament injuries

Question 1

What movement causes Lateral ligament injuries?

Answer 1

When a plantar-flexed foot is forcefully inverted.

Question 2

Name the ligaments commonly injured.

Answer 2

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) are most commonly injured ligaments

Question 3

Is the lateral ankle sprain the most frequent type of sprain?

Answer 3

Yes

Question 4

Clinical presentation:

Answer 4

Athlete will describe the injury as “rolling” their ankle.
Depending on the grade:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Bruising
• Sensory nerve damage
• vascular damage • Pain
• Difficultly bearing weight
• Instability

Question 5

Describe how this injury is graded.

Answer 5

• Grade I is an injury without macroscopic tears. No mechanical instability is noted. Pain and tenderness is minimal.
• Grade II is a partial tear. Moderate pain and tenderness is present. Mild to moderate joint instability may be present.
• Grade III is a complete tear. Severe pain and tenderness, inability to bear weight, and significant joint instability are

Question 6

What 3 tests can we use for this injury?

Answer 6

Anterior drawer test, which assess the ATF
- stabilize the tibia and fibula, and draw the talus forward in the ankle mortise

Talar tilt test, which assesses both ATF and CFL
Stabilize the tibia and fibula, push ankle into inversion

If the patient presents with excessive laxity and/or pain, the test is positive for a ligamentous tear

Balancing on one foot - compare sides