WHAT IS A MEDIAL ANKLE SPRAIN?
The deltoid ligament is the main ligament of the medial ankle. It is made up of the anterior tibiotalar ligament and the tibionavicular ligament. The primary mechanism of injury for a medial ankle sprain is external rotation and eversion. Since eversion is limited by the longer lateral malleolus, there is a low rate of medial ankle sprains as compared to lateral ankle sprains. Partial tearing of the deltoid ligament is classified as a grade I sprain, followed by a grade II tear is which is more then half of the fibers are torn, and a grade III sprain which is a complete tear.
History
- Pain: Medial ankle around malleolus and medial border of foot
- Onset: Acute
- Mechanism: Eversion and/or rotation
- swelling around medial joint capsule
Palpation
- pain on palpation of deltoid ligament
- AROM: pain during plantarflection, dorsiflexion, and eversion
- PROM: pain during dorsiflexion and eversion