What is the most common type of ankle sprain?

• A. Medial ankle sprain
• B. Lateral ankle sprain
• C. Anterior ankle sprain
• D. Posterior ankle sprain

Answer: (B)

The most common type of ankle sprain is a lateral ankle sprain. This occurs when the foot twists inward, resulting in injury to the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. The lateral ligaments, which primarily include the anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, and posterior talofibular ligament, are more prone to injury due to the mechanics of how most ankle injuries occur—such as during activities that involve running, jumping, or changing direction suddenly.

In contrast, medial ankle sprains involve injury to the ligaments on the inner side of the ankle, which are less frequently injured because the anatomy and movement dynamics typically protect this area—making them less common than lateral sprains. Anterior and posterior ankle sprains are also not typical classifications for sprains as they do not usually refer to common mechanisms of injury associated with ankle sprains. Thus, the prevalence of lateral ankle sprains makes it the most recognized type in both clinical practice and athletic contexts.