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Chronic Ankle Stability

Do you suffer from ankle sprains regularly? Then you might be at risk of developing chronic ankle instability.

Chronic ankle instability is a term used to describe the recurring giving way of the outer(lateral) side of the ankle usually while walking or standing. This is a condition that develops as a result of repeated ankle sprains, over time as a result of this the connective tissues(ligaments) on the outside of your foot can become stretched on torn leading to greater instability and development of additional problems in the ankle. It is important to undertake proper rehabilitation after an ankle sprain, in order to strengthen the muscles around the ankle as well as retrain the tissues within your ankle that may affect balance. A failure to do so may increase the chances of a recurring ankle sprain and as a consequence the likelihood of developing ankle instability over time.

What are the symptoms?

People with chronic ankle instability may often complain of:

  • A repeated turning of the ankle, especially on uneven surfaces or when participating in sports
  • Discomfort and swelling on the outside of your ankle
  • Pain or tenderness on the outside of your ankle
  • The ankle feeling wobbly or unstable

How is it diagnosed?

Chronic ankle instability is a condition that will be quite difficult to diagnose based on observation alone, so in most cases the health professional may check for tender areas, signs of swelling and instability of the ankle itself, however in some cases imaging modalities such as X-ray and Ultrasound may be beneficial in order to indefinitely confirm diagnosis of the condition

 

If you get reoccurring ankle sprains, don’t let it develop into a more severe condition like chronic ankle instability.

Make sure to book an appointment with one of our very own PodiatryHQ podiatrists today.

 

 

Sources:
https://www.bartoldgold.com/images/images_raw/1845194_1c8jpri.jpg
http://sports-medicine-institute.com/wp-content/uploads/lat-ankle-300×300.jpg
https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/chronic-ankle-instability
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5R78czjNOXE/maxresdefault.jpg
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