Talofibular Ligament Injury Follow-up

  • Author: Marc A Molis, MD, FAAFP; Chief Editor: Sherwin SW Ho, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 15, 2011
 

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Athletes may return to sports following a talofibular ligament injury when they are able to run and pivot without pain while the ankle is braced. Bracing and taping of the injured ankle is continued during athletic activities for 6 months.

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Resource Center Exercise and Sports Medicine

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Complications

Up to 20% of patients with an acute inversion injury develop chronic functional instability. Electromyography (EMG) has demonstrated prolonged reaction times of the peroneal muscle in this group of patients. Strengthening and proprioception exercises can lead to improvement. Patients whose injury do not respond and have continued mechanical laxity and functional instability may be candidates for lateral ligament reconstruction.

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Prevention

Completion of an adequate rehabilitation program, as well as functional bracing or taping for 6 months following the injury, minimizes the chance of recurrent injury.

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Prognosis

Eighty percent of patients with lateral ankle injuries make a full recovery following conservative rehabilitation. Up to 20% demonstrate chronic ankle instability, requiring prolonged therapy and possibly surgical repair.

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Education

To help prevent recurrent injury, patients should be instructed regarding the proper techniques for ankle taping and bracing. Ankle-strengthening and proprioception exercises should also be an important part of rehabilitation, and the patient should be instructed in an appropriate home exercise program.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Marc A Molis, MD, FAAFP  Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine of Iowa

Marc A Molis, MD, FAAFP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Iowa Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David F Martin, MD  Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

David F Martin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Craig C Young, MD  Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Russell D White, MD  Professor of Medicine, Director of Sports Medicine Fellowship Program, Medical Director, Sports Medicine Center, Head Team Physician, University of Missouri-Kansas City Intercollegiate Athletic Program, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Truman Medical Center Lakewood

Russell D White, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Sports Medicine, American Diabetes Association, and American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jon B Whitehurst, MD  Clinical Instructor of Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine; Partner, Rockford Orthopedic Associates; Orthopedic Chairman, Rockford Memorial Hospital

Jon B Whitehurst, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, and Arthroscopy Association of North America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Sherwin SW Ho, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Chicago

Sherwin SW Ho, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and Herodicus Society

Disclosure: Breg, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; Biomet, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; GMV, Inc. Arthroscopy Simulator Evaluation and teaching; Smith and Nephew Grant/research funds Fellowship funding; DJ Ortho Grant/research funds Course funding; Athletico Physical Therapy Grant/research funds Course, research funding

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Michael Taylor, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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