Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury is the an injury to the lateral side of the ankle and is extremely common among sportspersons. The injury can comprise of either soft tissue tears, avulsion fractures or both.
Causes of ATFL injuries
Lateral ankle sprains occur as a result of overstretching the ATFL – the joint that keeps the ankle stable. This happens when a person lands on their ankle with the toes pointed and the foot turned in. This put a strain on the ATFL joint as it takes the full force of the bodys motion and most often leads to injuy. The ATFL joint stabilises the ankle by limiting the toes pointing and the foot rotating inwards.
Symptoms of an ATFL injury
The ATFL joint is located on the lateral side of the ankle – the outside of the foot. If you have injured your ATFL you can expect noted tenderness in the area, swelling, bruising and often dificulty walking.
How to treat an ATFL injury
Most ATFL injuries respond well to hot and cold therapy alongside rest in the early stages. Apply an ice pack for 15–20 minutes every few hours during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling, then switch to heat once swelling settles to ease stiffness and improve circulation. Wearing an ankle brace or support helps stabilise the joint during recovery, and gentle mobility exercises can follow once swelling has gone down.
Advice outlined in this post is not intended as medical advice — consult your GP or physiotherapist if you are unsure about your symptoms or about wearing or using any of these products.
