You love getting out and moving around. Unfortunately, you have an ankle that’s intent on keeping you home. If your ankle frequently gives out and pain and inflammation are the rules and not the exceptions, then you’re likely dealing with chronic ankle instability.
Each year in the United States, there are about two million acute ankle sprains, and each of these injuries lays the groundwork for future chronic ankle instability. In fact, about 40% of people who sprain an ankle report ongoing issues with repeated sprains, instability, and pain.
If you suspect you have chronic ankle instability — a common sports injury — our team at Neuhaus Foot and Ankle wants to share some tips to help you take to your feet with more confidence again.
When you sprain an ankle, you stretch or tear the ligaments in the joint (here’s a great video by Dr. Neuhaus explaining a sprained ankle). In 90% of cases, the ligament damage occurs in the ligaments on the outside of your ankle as your foot turns inward.
Chronic instability typically occurs if the ligament damage doesn’t heal properly or if the ligaments stretch too far and become permanently loose.
As a result, these weakened connective tissues aren’t supporting your ankle well, and the joint gives way. While this can affect your gait, the constant wobbliness also leaves you more prone to ankle sprains. That leaves you in an almost continuous cycle of ankle pain, weakness, and swelling.
If you suspect you have chronic ankle instability, your first step is to have us confirm it.
During your visit, we’ll review your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and use advanced imaging to view the internal structures of your ankle.
If we concur with your diagnosis, we get to work on strengthening your ankle to prevent future problems.
To start, we review your footwear to make sure you’re providing your ankle the proper support. We may also suggest using orthotics to better balance your ankles.
Once your ankle has some additional support, we’ll create a physical therapy plan to target and strengthen it. Devoting just a few minutes each day to these exercises will strengthen and balance the joint.
Here are some great exercises to get you started.
So, if you want to move around like you used to, it’s time to contact one of our 13 locations in Tennessee to schedule an appointment with one of our ankle experts.
