During inversion ankle sprain, which lateral ankle ligament is the weakest and is torn first, making it the most commonly injured ligament of the ankle?

• A Calcaneofibular ligament
• B Anterior talofibular ligament ✓
• C Posterior talofibular ligament
• D Anterior tibiofibular ligament

Explanation

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the weakest of the three lateral ankle ligaments and is the first to tear during inversion stress, especially in plantarflexion where it becomes the primary lateral stabilizer. It is the most commonly injured ligament in ankle sprains. The calcaneofibular ligament tears only with more severe inversion stress (often when the ankle is in neutral or dorsiflexion).

Reference: Canale and Beaty: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 13th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.