This occurs when the foot inverts, or turns inward. A sprain denotes an injury to a ligament. The diagnosis of lateral ankle sprain is primarily clinical, with a history of turning in of the foot, occasionally with a ‘pop’ heard or felt. Swelling and bruising occur shortly after the injury.
A common classification applicable to all ligament injuries classifies sprains according to degree of severity into:
| Grade I |
ligament stretch (microscopic tear) |
|
Grade II |
ligament partly torn |
|
Grade III |
ligament completely torn |
