Question

multiple choice question
a 35 - year - old male basketball player presents with acute onset lateral ankle pain after landing awkwardly from a jump. he describes a sensation of his ankle
olling outward\ at the time of injury. on examination, there is tenderness and swelling over the lateral aspect of the ankle joint. anterior drawer and inversion stress tests are positive. which of the following ligaments is most likely injured?
please select your answer...
a posterior talofibular ligament
b calcaneofibular ligament
c deltoid ligament
d anterior talofibular ligament

Explanation:

• The anterior drawer test assesses the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). A positive anterior drawer test indicates injury to the ATFL.
• Inversion stress test also relates to lateral ankle ligaments. The ATFL is the most commonly injured ligament in ankle sprains (lateral ankle sprains are common with “ankle rolling outward” mechanism).
• The deltoid ligament (C) is on the medial side. The posterior talofibular ligament (A) and calcaneofibular ligament (B) are less likely to be the primary injured ligaments in a typical “ankle roll” with positive anterior drawer (which is specific for ATFL).

Answer:

D. Anterior talofibular ligament