0ne of the most common injuries associated with physical activity is the inversion sprain of the lateral ligament5 of the ankle (l3,14,39). Reports have indicated that approximately 20-60% of individuals with this injury have some form of subsequent disability (12,18,39). Factors suggested to contribute to postsprain dysfunction include ligament laxity (20,25), proprioceptive deficiency (25,31), peroneal muscle weakness (SO), tibiofibular sprain (33), bony deformity (24), subtalar instability (6), and synovial hypertrophy (1 1 ) . Although a number of factors have been suggested, the primary mechanism underlying residual instability remains unclear (38).Functional instability was first described by Freeman et al (12) to classify patients with ongoing complaints of "giving-way" of the ankle. Occurring in approximately 40% of patients with inversion sprains (12), functional instability has been described as the most common and serious residual disability following ankle sprains (21) and has been reported to result in chronic complaints of pain and swelling, recurrent spl-ains (28,35), and degenerative joint changes (16).
Inversion Sprains
Although a number of mechanical and neuromuscular processes have been identified, the primary mechanisms underlying residual functional instability-of the ankle remain unclear. Understanding such mechanisms will help physical therapists identify where to focus treatment efforts, ultimately leading to more effective rehabilitation. In the present investigation, resistive toque at maximum ankle inversion was evaluated to determine if lateral ankle structures demonstrated mechanical laxity. Thirty subjects with a history of unilateral recurrent inversion sprains were tested bilaterally. A custom-made apparatus provided a stress to the lateral ankle in