What type of injury do most ankle sprains represent?

Most ankle sprains typically represent inversion injuries, which occur when the foot rolls inward. This rolling motion can stretch or tear the ligaments on the outside of the ankle, leading to a sprain. Inversion injuries are common in sports and physical activities where rapid changes in direction, jumping, or uneven surfaces are involved.

The mechanism of an inversion injury often involves the foot being planted while the body continues to move, resulting in excessive stress on the lateral ligaments of the ankle. This direct stress is what causes the ligaments to either stretch excessively or tear, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.

In contrast, eversion injuries involve the foot rolling outward and primarily affect the medial ligaments, which are less commonly injured in sprains. Compression injuries generally refer to forces that damage tissues from above or below without rotational or lateral movement, and fracture injuries specifically involve breaks in the bone rather than ligamentous damage. Thus, understanding the mechanics and common occurrences associated with ankle sprains helps clarify why inversion injuries are the most prevalent type.