Ankle sprain is the most common athletic injury regarding musculoskeletal system and 85% is related with lateral ligament disruption. Despite the high incidence chronic instability is not encountered in most of the cases. Inversion injury on plantar flexed ankle is the most common injury mechanism. Lateral ankle ligament complex comprises of ATFL, CFL and PTFL. Mechanical instability is due to the disruption of the ligaments. However, functional instability is mainly due to the loss of proprioception and muscle deficit. Instability that lasts longer than 6 months is considered as chronic. Despite the appropriate rehabilitation programs instability may develop and requires surgical management. Surgical options are anatomic direct repair, non-anatomic ligament reconstruction and arthroscopic interventions. Recently, ligament augmentation with fibertape is promoted for enhancing the ligament which has reduced the duration of rehabilitation. Arthroscopic anatomic repair is another current treatment option, and is becoming increasingly common. Return to sports is about 86% after open or arthroscopic techniques. The purpose of this paper is to review the current techniques and the latest recommendations about return to sports that are used in acute and chronic ankle instability in athletes.