Soft Tissue Ankle Injury eMedicine Emergency

Description: 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