The lateral ankle ligament complex comprising the ATFL, CFL, and PTFL is collectively the most commonly injured ligamentous structure in the human body. Each component provides stability at different ankle positions — ATFL in plantarflexion, CFL in neutral to dorsiflexion, PTFL in extreme dorsiflexion. The Brostrom-Gould anatomical repair reattaches the ATFL and CFL to the fibula using suture anchors.
| Origin | Lateral malleolus of the fibula |
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| Insertion | ATFL to the talar neck; CFL to the calcaneus; PTFL to the posterior talar process |
| Actions | The three-component lateral ankle ligament complex resists ankle inversion, internal rotation, and posterior talar displacement |
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Chronic lateral ankle instability from recurrent sprains affects approximately 20 percent of patients after initial ankle sprain, producing persistent giving way episodes during walking and running. Peroneal muscle strengthening and proprioceptive training prevent recurrence in most cases. Surgical Brostrom-Gould repair achieves 80 to 90 percent good to excellent outcomes with low recurrence rates.
Recurrent ankle inversion episodes from ATFL and CFL laxity managed with proprioceptive training and Brostrom-Gould repair for persistent functional instability.
