Chronic Ankle Instability

When you schedule a visit with your doctor about the possibility of chronic ankle disability, the main aspect of the diagnosis will focus on your medical history. Since previous sprains are the primary cause for chronic ankle disability, your medical history will be key towards helping the doctor determine if you’re affected by this condition. Your ankle will also be thoroughly examined to check for signs of tender spots, instability, and general swelling in the area. If a diagnosis can’t be made at this time, additional x-rays and imaging tests will be administered to better evaluate the condition of your ankle.

Although this is a chronic condition that can’t be fully healed with treatments, there are a range of treatment options that can assist in heavily reducing the symptoms that you’re experiencing while also strengthening your ankle to safeguard against future issues. The full results of your diagnosis determine what kinds of treatment will be recommended. These treatments can either be surgical or non-surgical, the former of which is used only in the most severe of situations. The first treatment option for you to consider is physical therapy, which is aimed at strengthening your ankle and improving your overall range of motion in the area. The exercises and stretches that you perform will become progressively more difficult throughout physical therapy as your ankle strengthens, which helps to test your limits and bolster the effects of the treatment. Wearing an ankle brace is another effective treatment for ankle instability. Patients should speak to their physician about finding the right brace for them. You might also be prescribed with some medications to help with the pain and swelling that goes along with chronic ankle instability. These medications typically include standard pain relievers as well as anti-inflammatory medications. It’s possible that a brace will be recommended to you in order to increase support and stability for your ankle. As for surgery, this treatment is mainly needed if the degree of instability in your ankle is severe and the other treatments have yet to work properly. Surgeries for this condition typically center around the reconstruction or repair of the ligaments that have been damaged.