ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 19-year-old woman who noted significant swelling to the lateral aspect of the ankle and has pain on weight bearing. This woman has a ligament sprain injury to her ankle. This type of presentation is typical to the Emergency Department and represents a sizable proportion of the workload in the urgent treatment or 'minors' areas. Assessment of these patients is in two stages – assessment of the ankle and then assessment of the foot and knee. Assessment should start at the ankle joint and the posterior bony part of the malleoli should be palpated down to the tip. Assess one side at a time. After bony palpation, medical students and junior doctors should test the lateral ankle ligaments and medial deltoid ligament to assess for widening and complete tears. Self-directed ankle exercises should be encouraged and will prevent ankle stiffness and help reprogram damaged ankle proprioceptors.
