Ankle Instability

What is ankle instability?

Ankle instability can become a chronic condition that causes the outer side of your ankle joint to give out. Generally, instability develops after you suffer multiple ankle sprains, or following a sprain that didn’t heal properly.

With each sprain, the muscles and ligaments that support and stabilize your ankle stretch out and become weaker. When the muscles and ligaments aren’t properly healed or rehabilitated, it can lead to more ankle sprains and further weakness in your overall ankle support.

What are the symptoms of ankle instability?

Chronic ankle instability can increase your risk for falls or other ankle-related injuries and make it difficult to stay physically active.

Other common symptoms of ankle instability include:

• Persistent swelling
• Tenderness and pain
• Wobbly feeling in the ankle joint

Even when you’re standing still, your ankle may still give out without warning.

How is ankle instability diagnosed?

If you suspect your ankle is unstable, don’t delay a proper diagnosis. Dr. Hunter reviews your medical history to learn more about previous ankle sprains and related injuries. He physically evaluates your ankle, checking for areas of tenderness and swelling, and may ask you to perform certain movements to assess your ankle function.

Using an X-ray or another imaging test, Dr. Hunter can confirm a diagnosis or rule out other potential causes of ankle instability.

What treatments are available for ankle instability?

Initially, Dr. Hunter may suggest nonsurgical treatments, like pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications. Depending on your lifestyle and the severity of your condition, you may need to limit high-impact activities to prevent a worsening of your condition.

To keep you mobile, Dr. Hunter may recommend wearing an ankle brace that supports and stabilizes the joint.

If these therapies aren’t enough to relieve pain or improve ankle functionality, Dr. Hunter may recommend surgery. Surgery is usually the best option for severe ankle instability and involves techniques to reconstruct ligaments to better support your ankle.

If you can’t stay physically active due to persistent ankle instability, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Hunter by calling Hunter Foot & Ankle Associates, PLLC or booking an appointment online today.