Abstract
Sprains are the most frequent injuries of the ankle, especially in sports. Up to 85%
of cases affect the lateral ligament complex. Multi-ligament injuries with associated
lesions of the external complex, deltoid, syndesmosis, and sinus tarsi ligaments are
also common. Most ankle sprains respond to conservative treatment. However, up to
20 to 30% of patients can develop chronic ankle pain and instability.
New concepts have been recently developed, based on arthroscopic advances, such as
microinstability and rotatory ankle instability. These entities could be precursors
of mechanical ankle instability and at the origin of frequently associated ankle injuries,
such as peroneus tendon lesions, impingement syndromes, or osteochondral lesions.
Imaging methods, especially magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography, are
key in precisely diagnosing ligament lesions and associated injuries, facilitating
an adequate therapeutic approach.
Keywords
sprain - ankle ligaments - microinstability - anterior talofibular ligament - rotatory
ankle instability
