Chronic Ankle Instability

Do you feel like your ankles could give out on you at any time? Do they feel weak and rubbery? If you have suffered multiple sprains in the past, you may have weakened or even tore or ruptured the ligaments around your ankle joint.

People with weak ankles often complain of the following symptoms:

1. Multiple ankle sprains, especially when walking or running on surfaces that are uneven or when the terrain is not flat.

2. Swelling and pain of the ankles that really never goes away

3. The ankles feel weak and wobbly

People develop ankle instability usually from having an injury that was treated appropriately or the patient did not properly rehabilitate the ankle.  As previously mentioned, if the ligaments were stretched, torn or ruptured, your balance will be affected. It is very important to retrain the tissues to become strong again and sometimes the muscles around the ankle joint have to be strengthened. The more times you sprain your ankle, the weaker your ankle becomes.

Diagnosis of ankle instability is performed by evaluating the ankle clinically and checking for areas of tenderness. X-rays are usually taken and sometimes an MRI may be needed to fully assess the ligaments to examine for more serious injuries.

Conservative treatment for ankle instability includes physical therapy to strengthen the ligaments and the muscles around the ankle joint, help your balance, and increased the range of motion of the ankle joint. Anti-inflammatory medications also help with swelling and pain associated with the ankle. Ankle braces are also a mainstay because extra support may prevent additional sprains which further weakens the ankle.

Sometimes surgery is needed to repair the ankle ligaments, especially if they are torn or ruptured.

If you have lateral ankle instability and you want a professional opinion, please make an appointment with Dr. Kory Williams or Dr. Eric Silvers so they may assess your ankle and determine what the best treatment for ankle may be.