Which ligament is most often injured in an ankle sprain?

The anterior talofibular ligament is the ligament most often injured in an ankle sprain. This ligament connects the talus to the fibula on the lateral aspect of the ankle and plays a crucial role in stabilizing the ankle joint. Ankle sprains typically occur when the foot rolls inward—an inversion injury—which places significant stress on this ligament. As a result, it is the first ligament to be compromised during such traumatic movements, making it the most commonly injured ligament in cases of acute ankle sprains. Understanding this is essential for both diagnosis and treatment of ankle injuries in sports medicine.