One of the big stories leading up to the Super Bowl this weekend is the status of Dwight Freeny's ankle. Freeny, a defensive end, is one of the best players in the NFL. The media is not giving a very accurate description of Freeny's injury, calling it a "lower" ankle sprain, or "basketball" ankle sprain, so I thought I would try to help out. From watching the video of the injury, Freeny jumped up in the air, and his right foot lands on the foot of Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. This forced his ankle into excessive inversion (pointing the bottom of the foot in) and plantar flexion (pointing the bottom of the foot down). This mechanism of injury will sprain the lateral ligaments of the ankle, which include the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), the posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL), and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The lateral ankle sprain is the most common type of ankle sprain, accounting for about 85% of all ankle sprains. The media is also reporting that Freeny has a Grade III ligament sprain. A grade III sprain indicates a complete rupture of the ligament or ligaments. This would cause a great deal of pain and instability of the lateral ankle, making it difficult for him to push off and change directions. It typically takes several weeks or months to return from a grade III sprain, and may require surgery. I'm sure the Colts athletic trainers and doctors will be working with Freeny around the clock so that he can play Sunday, but I would say if the reports of the extent of his injury is true, he will have a hard time getting on the field.
