The lateral ankle ligament complex comprises the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and posterior talofibular ligament, providing the primary lateral ankle stability against inversion and internal rotation.
Collectively resist ankle inversion, internal rotation, and anterior talar translation. The ATFL is the primary static stabiliser against anterior translation and internal rotation, the CFL against inversion, and the PTFL against posterior translation and external rotation.
Lateral ankle sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury. The ATFL tears first, then the CFL, with the PTFL rarely injured alone. Anatomic ATFL-CFL repair (Brostrom-Gould) or ligament reconstruction addresses chronic lateral instability.
Grade I (ATFL sprain), Grade II (ATFL partial tear), Grade III (ATFL complete + CFL tear) — managed by RICE and early mobilisation for grades I-II, and Brostrom repair for recurrent grade III instability.
Brostrom-Gould repair with extensor retinaculum augmentation reattaches the ATFL and CFL to the fibula, the gold standard for chronic lateral ankle instability surgery.
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