A Rare Pattern of Ligamentous Injury of the Ankle: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

J Foot Ankle Surg. 2021 Jul-Aug;60(4):870-872. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2021.03.001. Epub 2021 Mar 6.

Abstract

Ankle sprains are the most frequent sport related injuries with involvement of the lateral collateral ligament complex occurring in 85% of cases. Isolated anterior talofibular ligament injury is by far the commonest followed by combined anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligament strain. The posterior talofibular ligament is the strongest component of the lateral collateral ligament complex and is injured in severe ankle injury along with the other lateral collateral ligaments. While isolated calcaneofibular ligament strain has been reported, calcaneofibular ligament and posterior talofibular ligament strains with an intact anterior talofibular ligament are rare and reported in cadaveric studies. We present a case of radiologically diagnosed calcaneofibular ligament and posterior talofibular ligament injury and will discuss the anatomy, stress radiography, and magnetic resonance image findings and the mechanism of this particular injury.

Keywords: ankle; anterior drawer; calcaneofibular ligament; injury; posterior talofibular ligament; sprain; syndesmosis; talar tilt.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ankle
  • Ankle Injuries*
  • Ankle Joint
  • Humans
  • Lateral Ligament, Ankle*
  • Ligaments