Which ligament is most commonly sprained in the ankle?

Which ligament is most commonly sprained in the ankle?

• A. Calcaneofibular ligament (CFL).
• B. Deltoid ligament.
• C. Posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL).
• D. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).

Answer: (D)

Inversion injuries with the foot in plantar flexion stress the outside of the ankle, and the anterior talofibular ligament bears the most load in that position. It is the weakest of the lateral ligaments, so it is the first to tear when an ankle rolls inward. The other lateral ligaments (calcanefibular and posterior talofibular) are generally stronger and may be involved in more severe sprains, while the medial deltoid ligament is less commonly sprained because eversion injuries are less frequent. So the ligament most commonly sprained is the anterior talofibular ligament.

Inversion injuries with the foot in plantar flexion stress the outside of the ankle, and the anterior talofibular ligament bears the most load in that position. It is the weakest of the lateral ligaments, so it is the first to tear when an ankle rolls inward. The other lateral ligaments (calcanefibular and posterior talofibular) are generally stronger and may be involved in more severe sprains, while the medial deltoid ligament is less commonly sprained because eversion injuries are less frequent. So the ligament most commonly sprained is the anterior talofibular ligament.