What is it?
Ankle sprains are extremely common. Typically the ankle will twist inwards (invert) and the ligaments on the outside of the ankle will tear (anterior talofibular ligaments). The severity of the sprain depends on how much of the ligament tears, ranging from grade 1 (mild) to grade 3 (complete).
Treatment
Most people will heal after an ankle sprain and with exercises and rehabilitation will be able to stabilize the joint and prevent recurring sprains. A small percentage will suffer recurring sprains and the ankle will ‘give out’ easily, often with a simple misstep while walking. In these cases surgery may be recommended to repair the torn ligaments. The most commonly performed repair is called a Brostrom repair and involves the direct repair and tightening of the original ligament reinforced with other local tissue.