Unstable ankles
Jane Lawler • October 4, 2021
Does your ankle feel like it’s locking or catching or giving way at times? Unstable ankles are very common and are not just a result of repeated ankle sprains, although this certainly doesn’t help!
The ankle is made up of bones, joints, cartilage, ligaments, soft tissue envelope called the capsule, fascia and retinaculum that help to keep the ankle held together. Repetitive stress on the ankle, whether through wear and tear or an ankle sprain or fracture, can cause ongoing instability in the ankle. There may be cartilage damage, loose bony fragments, scar tissue which can get pinched in the ankle joint, and rupture or stretching of ligaments which contribute to the instability, pain and swelling.
The use of ankle braces, supportive footwear, targeted exercises and orthotics are used to treat symptoms of ankle instability. But in cases when these measures are not enough to relieve pain, or instability persists, surgery can be undertaken to reconstruct the ankle ligaments and remove any floating bone or damaged cartilage.
The recovery from ankle reconstruction surgery is quite lengthy but we try to get you moving as soon as possible and involves physiotherapy as part of the rehabilitation process.
Meet Jack. He’s 14, loves soccer, and spends most afternoons running around the pitch with his mates. But for the last couple of years, he’s been hobbling more than sprinting. The culprit? A troublesome toenail on his big toe that has become so painful and embarrassing that he no longer wants to take his socks off in front of his friends. At first, Jack shrugged it off. “It’s just a bit sore,” he told his mum. But soon, the toe became red, swollen, and tender to even the lightest touch. Wearing his footy boots felt like stepping on a Lego brick every time he moved. Then the tissue around the toe started to get bigger and would bleed whenever it was knocked. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Ingrown toenails are incredibly common in kids and adolescents — often thanks to active lifestyles, tight shoes, or nails that just grow in awkward shapes. Adults aren’t immune either — anyone can get them. The good news? This is not something you have to put up with. Step one is usually conservative care from your podiatrist. We can gently remove the offending nail edge, reduce inflammation, and give you tips to stop it from coming back — like proper nail trimming techniques and footwear advice. But sometimes, as in Jack’s case, the nail problem keeps coming back to cause trouble and the tissue inflammation is too much to benefit from non-surgical measures. That’s when we can offer some surgical solutions. This can range from a simple surgical procedure, done under local anaesthetic, to a more invasive procedure which is usually done as a day procedure in a day surgery or hospital. As Jack’s problem was recurrent, we suggested a more permanent procedure to remove the sections of nail and skin that were problematic, under general anaesthetic (Jack was asleep and had no pain). Jack had the surgery. Three weeks later, he was back on the field, scoring goals without a second thought about his toe. His mum says the only regret was not getting it sorted sooner. If you or your child are dealing with a stubborn, sore toenail, remember: you don’t have to live with it. There is a definitive solution — and we’re here to help you find it.
When Jane turned 58, she started noticing a bump forming on the side of her big toe. At first, it didn’t bother her much — just a little rubbing in her shoes. But over time, her bunion got bigger, and her second toe started curling upwards. It wasn’t long before even short walks became painful. She thought the pain was “just part of getting older,” but her knees and hips had started aching too. Why? Because her body was compensating for her sore feet. Jane's gait (the way she walked) had changed, putting extra pressure on other joints. She also started feeling less steady on her feet, especially when barefoot or in slippers. Finding shoes was another challenge — nothing seemed to fit comfortably anymore. Fashion took a back seat to function, and even then, her shoes still hurt by the end of the day. Eventually, Jane reached out for help. What Are Bunions and Hammer Toes? Bunions are bony bumps at the base of the big toe that cause the toe to shift out of alignment. Hammer toes are bent, curled toes that can develop from the pressure caused by bunions or from muscle imbalances. Both conditions can cause pain, difficulty walking, and trouble finding shoes that fit. What Can Be Done? Thankfully, Jane had options. Non-surgical treatment included: - Custom orthoses (prescription shoe inserts) to support her feet and reduce pressure. - Footwear advice to help find supportive, comfortable shoes. - Stretching and strengthening exercises to help improve balance and foot function. In some cases these options are not enough to provide symptom relief, and in Jane’s case, she explored surgical correction as her activities of daily living were being affected. Our Podiatric Surgeons explained the procedure clearly, and helped Jane understand how surgery could relieve pain, correct the deformity, and help her walk comfortably again. Ready to Take the First Step? If your feet are holding you back like Jane’s were, let’s talk. ✅ Book an appointment with one of our non-surgical podiatrists for a full assessment and personalised treatment plan. ✅ Or, if you’d like to explore surgical options, you can book a consultation with one of our Podiatric Surgeons, Julie Taranto or Michael Taranto.
