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Bones & Joints
Medial ankle sprains are injuries to the deltoid ligament—a strong, fan-shaped ligament complex on the inside (medial) side of the ankle connecting the tibia (shin bone) to the talus and calcaneus (ankle bones)—much less common than lateral (outside) ankle sprains, accounting for only 5-10% of all ankle sprains. These injuries typically occur from eversion (ankle rolling outward) or rotational forces, often associated with high-energy trauma (sports injuries, falls) or ankle fractures (deltoid injury with fibula fracture is bimalleolar equivalent fracture requiring surgery). Isolated deltoid sprains present with inside ankle pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. Most heal with conservative treatment (boot immobilization, physiotherapy) over 6-8 weeks, though severe injuries may require surgery. The deltoid ligament is stronger than lateral ankle ligaments, so medial ankle pain after injury should prompt careful evaluation to rule out fractures or syndesmosis injuries often associated with deltoid tears.
What it is and why it happens
Medial ankle sprains are injuries to the deltoid ligament—a strong, fan-shaped ligament complex on the inside (medial) side of the ankle connecting the tibia (shin bone) to the talus and calcaneus (ankle bones)—much less common than lateral (outside) ankle sprains, accounting for only 5-10% of all ankle sprains. These injuries typically occur from eversion (ankle rolling outward) or rotational forces, often associated with high-energy trauma (sports injuries, falls) or ankle fractures (deltoid injury with fibula fracture is bimalleolar equivalent fracture requiring surgery). Isolated deltoid sprains present with inside ankle pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. Most heal with conservative treatment (boot immobilization, physiotherapy) over 6-8 weeks, though severe injuries may require surgery. The deltoid ligament is stronger than lateral ankle ligaments, so medial ankle pain after injury should prompt careful evaluation to rule out fractures or syndesmosis injuries often associated with deltoid tears.