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An injury to the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the most common type of lateral ankle sprain. The ATFL connects the talus (ankle bone) to the fibula. Anterior talofibular ligament sprain symptoms include pain or soreness, swelling, difficulty walking, bruising, and stiffness in the joint.
There are three main lateral ligaments in the ankle. The ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament) attaches the front of the shinbone (tibia) to the front part of the heelbone (talus) - on the top of the ankle. It this ligament becomes torn, the shinbone is likely to slide forward on the talus, causing instability.