An ankle inversion injury stretches which ligaments?

• A. Deltoid ligaments (medial)
• B. Lateral malleolar ligaments
• C. Posterior tibiofibular ligaments
• D. Anterior talofibular ligament

Answer: (B)

Inversion sprains load the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. The lateral ligaments, attached to the fibula (the lateral malleolus), are stretched when the foot rolls inward. This lateral ligament complex includes the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, which together resist inversion. The medial deltoid ligaments on the inside are stressed by eversion, not inversion. The distal tibiofibular ligaments (posterior tibiofibular) are more involved in higher ankle sprains with outward rotation or widening of the mortise, rather than a simple inversion. So the ligaments stretched in an inversion injury are the lateral malleolar ligaments.