Chronic Ankle Instability
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- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
- Accessory Navicular Syndrome
- Common Disorders of the Achilles Tendon
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
- Ankle Arthritis
- Ankle Fractures
- Chronic Ankle Instability
- Ankle Pain
- Ankle Sprain
- Arch Pain
- Arch Supports
- Athlete's Foot
- Baseball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Basketball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Soft Tissue Biopsy
- Black Toenails
- Bone Healing
- Bone Infection
- Bone Tumors in the Foot
- Brachymetararsia
- Bunions (Hallux Abducto Valgus)
- Bursitis
- Calcaneal Apophysitis (Sever's Disease)
- Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
- Calf Pain
- Callus
- Capsulitis of the Second Toe
- Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)
- Charcot Foot
- Clubfoot
- Cold Feet
- Compartment Syndrome
- Contact Dermatitis
- Corns
- Cracked Heels
- Crutch Use
- Custom Orthotic Devices
- Cyst-Ganglion
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Dermatitis
- Diabetic Complications and Amputation Prevention
- Diabetic Foot Care Guidelines
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Diabetic Shoes
- Drop Foot
- Dry Heels
- DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- Eczema of the Foot
- Equinus
- Extra Bones
- Fallen Arches
- Field Hockey Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Fifth Metatarsal Fracture
- Flatfoot-Adult Acquired
- Flatfoot-Flexible
- Flatfoot-Pediatric
- Flexible Flatfoot
- Foot Arthritis
- Foot Bumps
- Foot Drop
- Foot Fracture
- Foot Lumps
- Foot Odor
- Foot Rash
- Football Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Fracture-Ankle
- Fracture-Foot
- Fractures of the Calcaneus (Heel Bone Fractures)
- Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal
- Fracture-Toe
- Frostbite
- Fungal Nails
- Ganglion Cyst
- Gangrene
- Golf Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Gout
- Haglund's Deformity
- Hallux Rigidus
- Hammertoes
- Heel Bone Fractures
- Heel Cracks
- Heel Fissures
- Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciitis)
- High-Arched Foot
- Inflammation: Actue
- Ingrown Toenails
- Instructions for Using Crutches
- Intermetatarsal Neuroma
- Intoeing
- Joint Pain in the Foot
- Joint Swelling in the Foot
- Jones Fracture
- Lacrosse Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Lisfranc Injuries
- Lumps
- Malignant Melanoma of the Foot
- MRSA Infection of the Foot
- Orthotics
- Os Trigonum Syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle
- Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)
- Osteopenia
- P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease)
- Pediatric Flatfoot
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.)
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Diabetic
- Peroneal Tendon Injuries
- Pigeon-toes
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Plantar Fibroma
- Plantar Wart (Verruca Plantaris)
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
- Pump Bump (Hallux Rigidus)
- Puncture Wounds
- Rash
- Raynauds Phenomenon
- Restless Legs
- Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
- R.I.C.E Protocol
- Rugby Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Running and Track Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Running Injuries
- Sesamoid Injuries in the Foot
- Shin Splints
- Shoe Inserts
- Skin Cancer of the Foot and Ankle
- Smelly Feet
- Soccer Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Soft Tissue Biopsy
- Softball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Sports Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Staph Infections of the Foot
- Stress Fracture in the Foot
- Sweaty Feet
- Swollen Ankles
- Swollen Feet
- Synovitis
- Tailor's Bunion
- Talar Dome Lesion
- Tarsal Coalition
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tennis Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Thick Toenails
- Tingly Feet
- Tired Feet
- Toe and Metatarsal Fractures (Broken Toes)
- Toe Walking
- Turf Toe
- Ulcers/Wounds
- Varicose Veins
- Volleyball Injuries to the Foot and Ankle
- Warts
- Weak Ankles
- Webbed Toes
- White Toenails
- Wounds/Ulcers
- Wounds-Puncture
- Yellow Toenails
What Is Chronic Ankle Instability?
Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring “giving way” of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually the “giving way” occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Many athletes, as well as others, suffer from chronic ankle instability.
People with chronic ankle instability often complain of:
- A repeated turning of the ankle, especially on uneven surfaces or when participating in sports
- Persistent (chronic) discomfort and swelling
- Pain or tenderness
- The ankle feeling wobbly or unstable
Causes
Chronic ankle instability usually develops following an ankle sprain that has not adequately healed or was not rehabilitated completely. When you sprain your ankle, the connective tissues (ligaments) are stretched or torn. The ability to balance is often affected. Proper rehabilitation is needed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and “retrain” the tissues within the ankle that affect balance. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains.
Repeated ankle sprains often cause – and perpetuate – chronic ankle instability. Each subsequent sprain leads to further weakening (or stretching) of the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional problems in the ankle.
Diagnosis
In evaluating and diagnosing your condition, the foot and ankle surgeon will ask you about any previous ankle injuries and instability. Then he or she will examine your ankle to check for tender areas, signs of swelling, and instability of your ankle as shown in the illustration. X-rays or other imaging studies may be helpful in further evaluating the ankle.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Treatment for chronic ankle instability is based on the results of the examination and tests, as well as on the patient’s level of activity. Non-surgical treatment may include:
- Physical therapy. Physical therapy involves various treatments and exercises to strengthen the ankle, improve balance and range of motion, and retrain your muscles. As you progress through rehabilitation, you may also receive training that relates specifically to your activities or sport.
- Bracing. Some patients wear an ankle brace to gain support for the ankle and keep the ankle from turning. Bracing also helps prevent additional ankle sprains.
- Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
When Is Surgery Needed?
In some cases, the foot and ankle surgeon will recommend surgery based on the degree of instability or lack of response to non-surgical approaches. Surgery usually involves repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligament(s). The surgeon will select the surgical procedure best suited for your case based on the severity of the instability and your activity level. The length of the recovery period will vary, depending on the procedure or procedures performed.