ABSTRACT
The ankle is a key focal point in the transmission of body weight, capable of the adjustments necessary for ne balance on a wide variety of terrain. The ankle is often involved in static and dynamic deformities that ordinarily do not affect other parts of the body because the joint is subject to the concentrated stresses of standing and movement. Ankle injuries are not always minor and may be associated with prolonged disability and recurrent instability in 25%–40% of patients for several months to several years. Therefore, a casual approach (e.g., “It is only a sprain”) to the diagnosis and management of these injuries is inappropriate. The ubiquitous and unpredictable nature of ankle injuries mandates a precise understanding of the mechanism of injury, a thorough knowledge of the
anatomy of the ankle joint, a clear ability to assess the degree of damage, and a solid understanding of appropriate treatment modalities in the acute and rehabilitative phases (Table 51.1).
