Chronic Ankle Instability
Ankle instability is the term used when the ligaments of your ankle become stretched and the joint feels like it is constantly ‘giving way’. Common symptoms include pain, tenderness and swelling. You may also notice that your ankle turns inward or feels unbalanced when walking over uneven surfaces.
Ankle instability often happens because a previous sprain hasn’t healed properly. This puts your ankle at greater risk of subsequent sprains, and each time this happens the joint will become more and more unstable.
Treatment
Our orthopaedic consultants will check the ankle for swelling and instability, which may require an X-ray, CT or MRI scan. Following diagnosis, they’ll recommend the best treatment to suit your needs. This may include:
- Physiotherapy and/or orthotics – these aim to strengthen the ankle, improve motion range and balance, and retrain the muscles
- Ankle brace – this prevents the ankle from turning in and reduces the likelihood of spraining the joint again
- Ankle surgery – this will repair or reconstruct the ankle joint, depending on the severity of your condition
References:
EIDO Healthcare Limited – The operation and treatment information on this website is produced using information from EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Aspen Healthcare.
The information should not replace advice that your relevant health professional would give you.
Chronic Ankle Instability Consultants
Qualifications
MBBS, M.S. FRCSEd
Clinical Interests
Mr Chandrashekar has a clinical interest in all aspects of foot & ankle disorders as well as surgery and the management...
Qualifications
MBBS, M.S. FRCSEd
Clinical Interests
Mr Chandrashekar has a clinical interest in all aspects of foot & ankle disorders as well as surgery and the management...
Qualifications
MBBS, FRCSEd, M. Ch (Orth), FRCSEd(Tr&Orth)
Clinical Interests
Foot and ankle surgery,
Primary lower limb arthroplasty,
Knee arthroscopy,
Lower limb trauma.
Qualifications
MBBS, FRCSEd, M. Ch (Orth), FRCSEd(Tr&Orth)
Clinical Interests
Foot and ankle surgery,
Primary lower limb arthroplasty,
Knee arthroscopy,
Lower limb trauma.
