A 30-year-old athlete sustains an inversion ankle sprain. On examination, anterior drawer test is positive and there is tenderness over the anterior talofibular ligament. Stress radiograph shows anterior translation of the talus with talar tilt of 15°. According to the West Point grading system, this represents which grade of ankle sprain?

• A Grade I
• B Grade II
• C Grade IV
• D Grade III ✓

Explanation

Ankle sprain grading: Grade I is ligament stretch without instability; Grade II is partial tear with mild instability; Grade III is complete ligament rupture with demonstrated mechanical instability (positive anterior drawer and/or talar tilt >10°). This patient has a complete ATFL tear with positive anterior drawer and 15° talar tilt, confirming Grade III sprain. There is no Grade IV in standard ankle sprain classification.

Reference: Browner, Jupiter, Krettek, and Anderson's Skeletal Trauma, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.