Lateral Ankle Sprains – most common injury in sports

• plantar flexion / inversion mechanism
• most common involved ligaments in order
• ATFL
• CFL
• PTFL
• 40% result in chronic instability
• 1/3 total cost of sports injuries
• best diagnostic accuracy 4-5 days post trauma
• . inspection:  inframalleolar swelling
• . palpation: ATF/CFL tenderness, peroneal tenderness
• . ROM: pain with passive inversion
• . ortho: + ant. drawer, + inversion stress, - squeeze/syndesmotic test
• Ottawa Ankle Rules

Treatment includes a program of stretching, strengthening, mobilisation and manipulation, proprioceptive and balancing exercises ^[8], icing, ankle bracing or taping during contact sports^[3][5][4] If symptoms are severe, a cast or ROM boot immobilisation is prescribed for 10 days. After symptoms resolve, the patient begins a progressive rehabilitation programme along with a gradual increase to full activity^[4].