1. Knowing Ankle Sprains: For The Athlete
Charles Caltagirone

2. Ankle Boney Anatomy
Tibia
Fibula
Talus

3. Ankle Soft Tissue Anatomy
Lateral
View
Medial
View

4. Different Kinds of Ankle Sprains
Lateral (Inversion) Sprains
High (Syndesmosis) Sprains
Medial (Eversion) Sprains

5. Different Grades of Ankle Sprains
Grade I- minimal swelling, discoloration, instability, and minimal impaired gait. Only the anterior talofibular ligament is injured.
Grade II- moderate swelling, discoloration, instability, and moderate impaired gait. The anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments are injured.
Grade III- Severe swelling, discoloration, instability, and inability to walk with proper gait. The anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments are injured.

6. Lateral Ankle Sprain
That has to hurt!!!

7. Lateral Ankle Sprains Anatomy
Can happen in any sport
Commonly called “Rolling Ankle”
Usually effects the anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATF)
Can effect the Calcaneofibular ligament (CF) and Posterior Talofibular Ligament (PTF)
Anterior Talofibular Ligament
Posterior Talofibular Ligament
Calcaneofibular Ligament

8. Causes of Lateral Ankle Sprains
The foot is placed in forced inversion
and plantar flexion
It can be from an unstable/irregular surface
Also caused by forced trauma

9. Symptoms Swelling* Pain* Discoloration* Redness Warmth
Inability to walk
Ankle Instability
*The most common symptoms
Ouch!!!

10. Treatment R.I.C.E- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
Performing therapeutic exercises
Taping techniques
Ankle Braces
This is called a closed basket weave

11. High Ankle Sprain
OH NOOO!!!!!!

12. High Ankle Sprain Anatomy
Occurs to syndesmosis joint
Anterior Tibiofibular
Ligament (Anterior TibFib)
Posterior Tibiofibular
Ligament (Posterior TibFib)
The posterior TibFib ligament is not shown here, but it would be in the same spot just on the posterior aspect of the leg.

13. Causes of High Ankle Sprains
The foot is placed in extreme eversion
and dorsal flexion
Opposite what a typical ankle sprain
Usually from landing on another
players foot

14. Symptoms are at the syndesmosis joint.
Pain on the syndesmosis joint
Swelling (over the joint)*
Discoloration*
Deformity
Redness
Inability to walk
Pain in eversion and dorsal flexion
*Most common symptoms
Symptoms are at the syndesmosis joint.

15. Treatment
R.I.C.E.
Therapeutic exercises- differ from lateral ankle exercises because one wants to avoid eversion and dorsal flexion exercises.
Tape Application
This is an example similar to a high ankle tape application. The purpose is to help the tibia and fibula stay together at the syndesmosis joint.

16. Medial (Eversion) Ankle Sprain
At least I caught the ball

17. Medial Ankle Sprain Anatomy
Posterior Tibiotalor
Tibiocalcaneal
Anterior Tibiotalor
Tibionavicular
Deltoid ligament

18. Causes of Medial Ankle Sprains
The foot is placed in extreme eversion
Usually occurs with a high ankle sprain
Generally more serious than a lateral ankle sprain

19. Notice the eversion of the ankle
Symptoms
Swelling*
Discoloration*
Pain*
Redness
Warmth
Inability to walk*
*Most common symptoms
Notice the eversion of the ankle

20. Treatment R.I.C.E. Therapeutic exercise- Avoiding eversion exercises
This injury is usually serious and
a tape application will not work
Common exercises performed with therabands

21. Conclusion Ankle sprains can range from not serious to very serious
They can also occur at different areas of the ankle depending on the mechanism
For non serious ankle sprains the individual can be taped and return to activity
For serious ankle sprains the individual may need surgery
They are very treatable and many athletes have come back to have excellent careers after
Here are some helpful links about ankle sprains:
Lateral ankle High ankle Medial ankle