THE INJURIES WE TREAT
Ankle Instability
Ankle instability is one of the most common problems seen in athletes. It can occur when there has been complete tearing of the ligament or a complete dislocation of the ankle joint, often due to repeated ankle sprains and damage to the nerve endings in the ankle joint and ligaments.
The symptoms of ankle instability are feelings of the joint giving way, swelling, pain and decreased range of motion. The pain is usually chronic or recurrent and symptoms are often worse after walking or taking part in sports.
Chronic ankle instability usually develops following an ankle sprain where the ligaments have failed to heal properly and have become weak, or there may be damage to the joint itself or some other structure nearby.
An ankle ligament injury can also damage the small nerve endings in the joint and ligaments – the proprioceptive nerves. These nerve endings are responsible for controlling the muscles which move and protect the ankle. If these nerve endings are damaged then your ankle may have a tendency to be unstable and ‘give way’ making you more prone to repeated ankle sprains, leading to greater instability.
Surgical repair can be performed to tighten the stretched ligaments and improve the stability of the ankle. There are many different techniques used to stabilize the ankle. Surgery is usually very successful with individuals able to return to sporting activity without the risk of recurring injury to the ankle.
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