What percentage of all ankle sprains is a lateral ankle sprain?

Final answer:

Lateral ankle sprains are the most common type of ankle sprain, typically involving damage to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle. The anterior talofibular ligament is the most commonly injured, with the calcaneofibular ligament also frequently affected.

Explanation:

The lateral ankle sprain is the most common type of ankle sprain, and it involves injuries to the ligaments on the lateral, or outer, side of the ankle. These ligaments include the anterior talofibular ligament, which is the most frequently injured, followed by the calcaneofibular ligament. Significant inversion forces can also lead to damage to the posterior talofibular ligament and potentially cause fractures in the distal fibula.

Although an exact percentage is not provided in the reference material, it is implied that the majority of ankle sprains are lateral ankle sprains due to the nature of the forces involved. In contrast, eversion ankle sprains, which affect the medial deltoid ligament, are much less common.