Calcaneofibular Ligament Injury

Excerpt

Ankle sprains are a common reason for presentation to the emergency department, accounting for approximately 7% to 10% of visits and up to 40% of all sports injuries. The majority of ankle injuries are sports-related and involve the lateral ankle compartment. The lateral ankle ligaments consist of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). Differentiating between ATFL-superimposed CFL injuries vs. isolated CFL injuries are challenging as clinical exams yield low sensitivities; however, it is commonly accepted that the ATFL is largely involved in the majority of ankle sprains, accounting for two-thirds of lateral ankle injuries. While there is limited literature available for isolated CFL injuries, combined ATFL and CFL involvement are the second most common injury pattern of the lateral ankle. As such, discussions about CFL injuries in the literature are largely embedded in lateral ankle injuries. This article will discuss the shared characteristics of lateral ankle injuries and identify the unique qualities of CFL injuries.