[The syndrome of external ligament sprain in the horse].

This research paper discusses the best methods for treating severe (grade III) sprains of the ankle’s lateral ligaments. It argues that functional treatment is best for most cases, but medication or surgery may be needed for more severe injuries. In addition, the authors propose that re-evaluating the way we understand and categorize sprained ankles could lead to better treatment methods in the future.

Treatment of Severe Lateral Ligament Sprains

• The article begins by discussing the different ways to treat severe tears of an ankle’s lateral ligaments, emphasizing a common debate in the medical field concerning the optimal approach. The standard treatment has become functional treatment, which involves a short period of protection via tape bandage or brace and permits early weight-bearing.
• In cases of major trauma, which might involve bone avulsion and significant ligament damage, the article suggests that surgical treatment in the acute phase is necessary.
• Secondary operative reconstruction is mentioned as an option for persistent instability or laxity of the ankle.

Restorative Techniques and Evaluation

• The paper explores secondary anatomic repair, touching on different practitioners’ methods, and highlights its high success rate compared to other methods, such as grafting the peroneus brevis or other tendons, which can possibly present more risk.
• The article also discusses various techniques for evaluating the traumatised ankle. For selected patients, the use of ultrasonography, arthrography, magnetic resonance imaging, or bone scintigraphy might be beneficial in further evaluation of the injury.

Re-evaluation of Sprained Ankles

• The authors suggest that the frequency of associated injuries has likely been underestimated. Although ankle sprain is generally considered as an injury that only affects the lateral ankle ligaments, the authors argue that this view often overlooks the varied and multiple components involved in common sprained ankles.
• Therefore, instead of referring to this as simply a sprained ankle, the authors suggest that the condition should instead be referred to as the sprained ankle syndrome, potentially leading to a broader understanding and thereby improved treatment methods.