Ankles play a critical role in motion. Every time you take a step forward, your ankle flexes, ensuring stable movement and a reliable sense of balance. However, each ankle is part of a complex joint, comprised of bone, cartilage, and muscle. Over time, injuries can progressively damage the ankles, making it more difficult to move without pain or discomfort.Chronic Ankle Instability Symptoms
Chronic ankle instability can provoke a wide range of symptoms, which could include the following:
- One or both ankles repeatedly giving way, especially when traversing uneven surfaces or playing sports
- Localized discomfort and swelling of the ankle or surrounding tissue
- Persistent pain or discomfort around the ankle
Since chronic ankle instability is often a consequence of untreated injuries, symptoms can take time to develop. Under many circumstances, chronic ankle instability-related complaints increase with time, as patients realize that they seem unusually susceptible to sprains and other injuries.
Treating Chronic Ankle Instability
Chronic ankle instability can be treated with:
Bracing or Taping
Podiatrists sometimes use supportive braces and medical tape to lock the ankle joint into place, facilitating a more normal range of motion.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are prescription devices that are designed to complement an individual patient’s gait and physique. Some orthotic devices can redistribute body weight to correct gait abnormalities and relieve pressure on the ankle joint.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help patients rebuild and strengthen the muscles surrounding their ankles, minimizing the symptoms of repetitive use injuries and decreasing the likelihood of recurring sprains.
However, some seriously weakened ankles may not respond to less-invasive treatment strategies.
Surgery as a Potential Solution for Chronic Ankle Instability
Most ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability-related injuries can be treated without the need for surgery. However, when less-invasive techniques fail to relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms, your podiatrist may recommend surgical intervention.
Surgical procedures vary in both procedure and complexity. The goal of most surgical procedures is to stabilize any loose or torn ligaments impacting mobility.
Lateral ligament reconstruction, for example, is a surgical procedure that seeks to tighten weakened ligaments. Reconstructions are fairly simple: your podiatrist makes a small incision on the outside of the ankle, using a special tool to correct damaged tissue.
While it can take anywhere between several days and several weeks for an ankle to heal after an operation, surgery can reduce a patient’s long-term risk for other ankle-related injuries, potentially minimizing the possibility of arthritic complications.
Are You Suffering With Chronic Ankle Instability In The Caldwell Or Meridian, Idaho Area?
If you're suffering with chronic ankle instability you owe it to yourself to speak with our experienced podiatrists as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 208.855.5955 to schedule your appointment. We service all areas surrounding Meridian, Idaho as well as all areas in the Caldwell, Idaho area. We look forward to helping you!
