Ankle Ligament Injuries

This chapter presents a clinical scenario of a 23-year-old male athlete who had suffered an inversion injury during a cutting movement while trying to pass an opponent. It also focuses on lateral ankle sprains (LAS). Many patients who present to the Emergency Department after sustaining an LAS mainly suffer from pain and are unable to bear weight on the affected ankle. Patients that present to the Emergency Department are often unable to bear weight on their affected ankle. To provide some stability, immobilization by means of a cast may be chosen as an acute treatment method. In patients that suffer from a severe lateral ligament injury, only elite athletes generally qualify for surgical treatment to enable quick recovery. The chapter then provides recommendations for implementing evidence-based practice in the clinical setting.