Ankle Special Tests
  • Home
  • Lateral Ankle Sprain
    • Anterior Drawer Test
    • Inversion Talar Tilt Stress Test
  • Medial Ankle Sprain
    • Eversion Talar Tilt Stress Test
    • Kleiger's Test
  • High Ankle Sprain
    • Squeeze Test
    • Kleiger's Test
  • Fracture
    • Bump Test
    • Squeeze Test
  • Achilles Tendon Rupture
    • Thompson Test
  • Index
    • Anterior Drawer Test
    • Inversion Talar Tilt Stress Test
    • Eversion Talar Tilt Stress Test
    • Kleiger's Test
    • Squeeze Test
    • Bump Test
    • Thompson Test

WHAT IS A LATERAL ANKLE SPRAIN?

There are three lateral ligaments in the ankle. They are the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and posterior talofibular ligament. A sprain of the lateral ligaments occurs when the ankle is in the open-packed position of plantarflexion and inversion. The anterior talofibular ligament is most commonly sprained, followed by the calcaneofibular ligament, and then the posterior talofibular ligament. A minor tear is classified as a grade I tear, followed by grade II if there is significant tearing, and grade III if the ligament is completely torn. The two main tests that test for a lateral ankle sprain are the anterior drawer test and the inversion talar tilt test. Below is a description of what clinical findings are indicative of a lateral ankle sprain. 
PictureInversion motion causes ankle sprain.
History  
  • Pain: Lateral ankle around malleolus and sinus tarsi
  • Onset: Acute
  • Mechanism: Inversion (supination, plantarflexion, and talar rotation)
Inspection
  • Swelling around lateral joint capsule
  • Ecchymosis (discoloration) around lateral malleolus

PictureLateral swelling and ecchymosis.
Palpation 
  • Pain with palpation of lateral ligaments and sinus tarsi
Range of Motion 
  • Active ROM: pain with plantarflexion and inversion
  • Passive ROM: pain with platerflexion, inversion in neutral, inversion with dorsiflexion

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