Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

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Prepare for the COMLEX-USA with quizzes featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Gear up for your osteopathic medicine exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What is the most common type of ankle sprain associated with inversion?

  1. Deltoid ligament sprain

  2. ATF ligament sprain

  3. CF ligament sprain

  4. PTF ligament sprain

The correct answer is: ATF ligament sprain

The most common type of ankle sprain associated with inversion injuries is indeed the sprain of the anterior talofibular (ATF) ligament. This ligament is located on the lateral aspect of the ankle and plays a vital role in maintaining stability during activities that require ankle mobility, such as walking or running. Inversion injuries typically occur when the foot turns inward excessively, placing strain on the ligaments that support the lateral side of the ankle. The ATF ligament, being the weakest and most commonly injured of the lateral ligaments, is particularly vulnerable during these movements. Damage to this ligament often results in swelling, pain, and instability around the ankle, which can significantly affect an individual's ability to walk or participate in physical activities. Other ligaments mentioned—such as the deltoid ligament, calcaneofibular (CF) ligament, and posterior talofibular (PTF) ligament—are either less commonly involved in inversion injuries or located on the medial side of the ankle, which is not typically affected during an inversion mechanism. The deltoid ligament, for example, is more likely to be sprained in eversion injuries, highlighting the specificity of the ATF ligament's involvement in inversion-related sprains.