Ankle ligaments are like cords that connect the foot bones with the lower leg bones. They stabilize the ankle joint and prevent the ankle from twisting, folding or collapsing. An ankle ligament can overstretch or tear, called a sprain. Ankle sprain is a very common injury and can range from mild to severe.
Your ankle ligaments are bands of tissue that connect your foot bones (talus and calcaneus) with your lower leg bones (tibia and fibula).
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Ankle ligaments have several important jobs. They:
Ankle ligaments are made of connective tissue that contains:
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Ankle ligaments are found throughout your foot, ankle and lower leg. They connect certain bones:
There are three main sets of ligaments in your ankle:
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An ankle ligament can be injured when it moves in the wrong direction, stretches too far or tears. A ligament injury is called a sprain.
A sprained ankle is a very common injury. It happens to people of all ages and levels of health. An ankle sprain usually occurs when someone twists the ankle. For example:
The three main types of ankle sprains include:
If you injure an ankle ligament, symptoms may include:
Most sprains are mild, but they can be severe. If you have a moderate to severe ankle sprain or repeat sprains, you should talk to a healthcare professional. Sprains can weaken your ankle, increasing the chances that you’ll injure it again. They can also cause lasting pain.
If you think you have a sprained ankle, a healthcare provider may:
A healthcare provider will grade your ankle injury by how severe it is and what symptoms you have:
Treatment for an ankle ligament injury can vary greatly, depending on:
Your healthcare provider will recommend treatment for your particular injury, ranging from surgical to nonsurgical:
Not all ankle injuries can be prevented. But you can take steps to keep your ankle ligaments safer, especially during exercise:
You should talk to a healthcare provider if you have:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Ankle ligaments are bands of tissue that connect the foot bones with the lower leg bones. Injuries to the ankle ligaments are very common and can range from mild to severe. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have a bad ankle injury or repeat ankle sprains. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help prevent pain and future injuries.
Last reviewed on 06/25/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy