Calcaneofibular ligament sprain

Case contributed by Maulik S Patel
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

About 6 months prior to the presentation, the patient had the right ankle inversion injury. The patient presented with a complaint of persistent pain in the lateral ankle region.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
ultrasound

The symptomatic right ankle shows hypoechoic thickening of the calcaneofibular ligament. However, its continuity is maintained. There is no underlying bony avulsion from calcaneum. The right anterior talofibular ligament shows normal echopattern.

The left ankle shows a normal echopattern of calcaneofibular ligament.

Case Discussion

The case shows isolated calcaneofibular ligament sprain with a normal anterior talofibular ligament. Ankle inversion is a common injury involving athletes and nonathletes.  Injuries involving anterior talofibular ligament with/without calcaneofibular ligament are common. However, an isolated injury to the calcaneofibular ligament is considered rare.

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