Perhaps you tripped on a stair, made an awkward move in your exercise class, or missed a step on a ladder. Even walking on an uneven surface can do it — one wrong move, and you sprain your ankle.
You’re not alone. It happens to 25,000 people every day in the United States!
Sometimes, ankle sprains lead to chronic ankle instability, which can then cause other issues like further sprains and joint damage.
Board-certified foot surgeon Dr. Paul Ebanks at Foot & Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida treats patients with ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability. He understands the intricacies of the feet and ankles, the different ways we can damage and injure them, and how to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including sprains and ankle instability.
Spraining your ankle will stretch or tear ligaments, paving the way for balance problems. But an ankle sprain doesn’t always lead to chronic ankle instability. It depends on what happens, or doesn’t happen, after the sprain.
You raise your risk of instability if you:
Rehabilitation must also include exercises that strengthen the muscles around your ankle. Otherwise, you will likely experience repeated strains.
Just like exercise, good nutrition, and stress management positively impact your long-term health, the same can be said about taking care of your feet and ankles. To prevent chronic ankle instability, be sure to address your sprain adequately, get proper treatment, and avoid overuse after the injury.
Conservative, nonsurgical treatment options include:
If these treatment approaches aren’t enough, you may need surgery to prevent ankle instability. Dr. Ebanks performs ankle surgery that repairs or reconstructs your injured ligaments. He determines which procedure is right for you according to how unstable your ankle feels, the history of treatments you’ve tried, and your activity level.
If you need corrective surgery to prevent ankle instability after a sprain, Dr. Ebanks tells you what to expect before, during, and after the surgery, and addresses all your questions and concerns.
To prevent an ankle sprain, wear stable, supportive shoes (no sky-high heels). Be extra careful when walking or running on uneven surfaces or sidewalks with potholes. Go easy (or skip) your workout if you feel fatigued, and do some ankle stretches before exercising.
At the Foot & Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida, we’re committed to treating the “whole patient” and consider it a privilege that you entrust us with your care.
If you’re concerned about chronic ankle instability or notice symptoms, call our Sebring, Florida office at 863-382-1570 to schedule an appointment, or feel free to use our convenient online booking tool.
