Lateral Ankle Ligament Injuries

Clinical Significance

• The American College of Radiology notes that in lateral ankle sprains, the ATFL is the most commonly torn ligament 1
• Inversion injuries of the ankle account for 25% of musculoskeletal system injuries and 50% of all sports-related injuries, according to the American College of Radiology 1
• The Ottawa Ankle Rules, as reported by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, indicate that point tenderness over the lateral malleolus is one of the key indicators for determining the need for radiographic imaging 2, 3
• The American College of Radiology recommends that MRI without IV contrast is considered the study of choice for assessment of ligament injuries when radiographs are negative for osseous injury 4