What structure is likely injured in a college student who turned her ankle inward and has moderate swelling on the lateral ankle?

What structure is likely injured in a college student who turned her ankle inward and has moderate swelling on the lateral ankle?

• A. Deltoid ligament
• B. Anterior talofibular ligament
• C. Achilles tendon
• D. Lateral malleolus

Answer: (B)

Inversion ankle injuries commonly result in damage to the lateral structures of the ankle, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). This ligament plays a crucial role in stabilizing the ankle joint, especially during movements that involve inverting the foot. When the ankle is turned inward, the ATFL is most susceptible to stress and can become sprained, leading to moderate swelling and pain on the lateral side. The symptoms described—turning the ankle inward and experiencing swelling—are characteristic of an injury to the ATFL, which is often the first ligament affected in a lateral ankle sprain. The location of the swelling on the lateral ankle further supports the diagnosis of an injury to this specific ligament. In contrast, the deltoid ligament, located on the medial side of the ankle, is more likely to be injured in cases of eversion injuries. The Achilles tendon, while critical for plantarflexion, is not typically injured in inversion sprains. Lastly, the lateral malleolus is a bony structure that may fracture during inversion but does not primarily account for the ligamentous injury described in this case. Thus, the anterior talofibular ligament is the most likely structure to be injured given the mechanism of injury and symptoms.

Inversion ankle injuries commonly result in damage to the lateral structures of the ankle, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). This ligament plays a crucial role in stabilizing the ankle joint, especially during movements that involve inverting the foot. When the ankle is turned inward, the ATFL is most susceptible to stress and can become sprained, leading to moderate swelling and pain on the lateral side.

The symptoms described—turning the ankle inward and experiencing swelling—are characteristic of an injury to the ATFL, which is often the first ligament affected in a lateral ankle sprain. The location of the swelling on the lateral ankle further supports the diagnosis of an injury to this specific ligament.

In contrast, the deltoid ligament, located on the medial side of the ankle, is more likely to be injured in cases of eversion injuries. The Achilles tendon, while critical for plantarflexion, is not typically injured in inversion sprains. Lastly, the lateral malleolus is a bony structure that may fracture during inversion but does not primarily account for the ligamentous injury described in this case. Thus, the anterior talofibular ligament is the most likely structure to be injured given the mechanism of injury and symptoms.