Background: The opioid epidemic is a result of overprescribing by practitioners and misuse and diversion of opioids. Ligamentous ankle injuries are common, with an estimated 1 sprain per day per 10 000 persons (1). Despite the frequency of this injury, treatment strategies remain broad and heterogeneous. Evidence-based treatment guidelines include cryotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and functional support and exercise (2). Although the role of opioids in the treatment of ankle sprains has been discussed, these drugs have never been included in treatment recommendations (2).

Objective: To describe the rate of opioid prescriptions within 7 days after an ankle sprain and the ...