Ankle Instability

Ankle instability is caused by injury to the lateral (outer) and/or medial (inside) ankle ligaments and can usually cause strain or stretch. In severe cases the ligaments can tear or rupture, which can be partial or complete. People often feel like the ankle is giving way or is unstable and may experience a number of subsequent ankle sprains following their original injury. These sprains can occur with just a minor twist or trauma.

Most ankle sprains, if treated early and appropriately, respond very well to non-surgical care. However in some cases the ankle instability persists and interferes with a person’s activities of daily living. In these circumstances, surgery may be considered.

Surgery is aimed at providing an anatomical repair of the soft tissue structures involved in the injury. Sometimes there are co-existing instability problems of the surrounding joints, or other bony injuries which have taken place. For example, an osteochondral defect, or damage to the cartilage covering of a joint, may also need to be addressed.

Medical imaging, such as x-rays and MRIs are usually obtained prior to surgery to determine the extent of the injury and to plan for the proposed surgery.



Following an ankle repair surgery, a short period of time will be spent non-weight bearing, on crutches and then this is progressed from assisted weight bearing to full weight bearing over a period of weeks. A special CAM walker boot or post-operative type of shoe is often used. Rehabilitation is based on individual circumstances but almost always involves the need for physiotherapy.