Ankle instability most commonly results from a prior ankle sprain that has healed, however, the ligaments that support the ankle are lengthened/elongated and do not provide the mechanical stability that is needed. Having this condition does not imply that the treatment you had for your ankle sprain was not appropriate. Other conditions commonly exists with ankle instability including peroneal tendon pathology, osteochondral defects of the talus, and high arched foot. Patients can feel that their ankle “gives out” with high level activity such as running and cutting sports or in severe cases with walking on uneven ground, grass, or gravel.
When diagnosing ankle instability, we rely on listening to the patient and understanding when the feeling of instability occurs and what activities cause the ankle to be unstable. The physical exam helps to determine the amount of laxity of the ankle joint, pain over the ankle, peroneal tendon pain/swelling, in addition the alignment of the ankle and foot. Xrays are taken to determine if there is any evidence of ankle arthritis, spurring, and to evaluate ankle alignment. In many cases, a MRI is required prior surgical intervention to further identify soft tissue injury so that an appropriate surgical plan can be created.
Treating chronic ankle instability does not always require surgery, however, repeated episodes of giving out of the ankle has been associated with ankle arthritis. Our goal is to provide the patient with options to improve their life quality with both non-surgical and surgical options. Non-surgical options include activity modification, physical therapy to provide improved ankle stability, and the use a lace up ankle brace maximize your quality of life without undergoing surgery. If persistent ankle instability occurs despite these non-surgical treatment methods surgery may be considered. The surgical options that we employ provide improved mechanical stability by repairing your own ligaments to the ankle and utilizing modern advances in orthopedic technology including the Internal Brace ®.
Our Published Literature Related to Ankle Instability
1. Ankle Instability & Impingement Syndromes. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
2. Osteotomy Of The Tibia & Fibula. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
3. Cavus Foot Correction. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
4. Management Of Osteochondral Lesions Of The Talus. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
5. Outcomes Of Surgical Treatment Of Talar Osteochondral Lesions Using Bone Marrow Aspirate & Microgenized Allograft Cartilage Extra-Cellular Matrix. Foot & Ankle Orthopedics. (2019)
6. Ankle Arthrodesis. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
7. Arthritis Of The Ankle. Essential Orthopaedics. (2019) - Book Chapter
8. Revision Total Ankle Replacement. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
9. Total Ankle Replacement. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
10. The Use Of Bulk Fresh Osteoarticular Allografts In Ankle Reconstruction. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
11. Subtalar Arthrodesis. Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgery: Management Of Complications. (2019) - Book Chapter
12. Disorders Of The Foot & Ankle. Miller’s Review Of Orthopaedics. (2019) - Book Chapter
13. Overview Of The Ankle & Foot. Essential Orthopaedics. (2019) - Book Chapter
14. Leg, Ankle, & Foot Diagnosis & Decision-Making. DeLee & Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. (2018) - Book Chapter
15. Imaging Of The Foot & Ankle. DeLee & Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. (2018) - Book Chapter
16. Anterior Approach For Ankle Arthrodesis. Journal Of Bone & Joint Surgery Essential Surgical Techniques. (2017)
17. Total Ankle Arthroplasty Versus Ankle Arthrodesis-A Comparison Of Outcomes Over The Last Decade. Journal Of Orthopaedic Surgery & Research. (2017)
18. Total Ankle Arthroplasty Versus Ankle Arthrodesis-A Comparison Of Outcomes Over The Last Decade. Journal Of Orthopaedic Surgery & Research. (2017)
19. Guest Editorial: Soft Tissue Reconstruction In The Foot & Ankle. Techniques In Foot & Ankle Surgery. (2017)
20. Branching Patterns Of The Superficial Peroneal Nerve: Implications For Ankle Arthroscopy & For Anterolateral Surgical Approaches To The Ankle. Journal Of Foot & Ankle Surgery. (2015)
21. Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation In The Ankle: A Review Of Current Practice. Orthopedic Research & Reviews. (2015)
22. General Principles. Passport For The Orthopedic Boards & FRCS Examination. (2015) - Book Chapter
23. Generalized Conditions. Passport For The Orthopedic Boards & FRCS Examination. (2015) - Book Chapter
24. Hindfoot. Passport For The Orthopedic Boards & FRCS Examination. (2015) - Book Chapter
25. Disorders Of The Foot & Ankle. Miller’s Review Of Orthopaedics. (2015) - Book Chapter
26. Sports Injuries In The Foot & Ankle. Clinics Of Sports Medicine. (2015)
27. Relationship Among Radiographic Ankle Medial Clear Space, Sex, & Height. Orthopedics. (2014)
28. The Cavus Foot. Foot & Ankle Clinics. (2013)
29. Why Allograft Reconstruction For Osteochondral Lesion Of The Talus? The Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System Seemed To Work Quite Well. Foot & Ankle Clinics. (2013)
30. Introduction To Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of The Foot & Ankle. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
31. Arthritis Of The Foot & Ankle. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
32. Introduction To Arthroscopy Of The Ankle. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
33. Peroneal Tendon Disorders. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
34. Chronic Ankle Instability. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
35. Acute Ankle Ligament Injuries. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
36. Osteochondral Lesions. Presentation, Imaging & Treatment Of Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. (2011) - Book Chapter
37. Effect Of Ankle Flexion Angle On Axial Alignment Of Total Ankle Replacement. Foot & Ankle International. (2010)
38. Malunion & Nonunion In Foot & Ankle Surgery. Foot & Ankle Specialist. (2010)
39. The Foot & Ankle. Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy Review. (2010) - Book Chapter
40. Correction Of Multiplanar Deformity Of The Foot & Ankle. Preface. Foot & Ankle Clinics. (2009)
41. Overview Of The Ankle & Foot. Essential Orthopaedics. (2009) - Book Chapter
42. Ankle Injection. Essential Orthopaedics. (2009) - Book Chapter
43. Fresh Osteochondral Total Ankle Allograft Transplantation For The Treatment Of Ankle Arthritis. Foot & Ankle International. (2008)
44. Operative Management Of Ankle Instability: Reconstruction With Open & Percutaneous Methods. Foot & Ankle Clinics. (2006)
45. Ankle & Hindfoot Reconstruction: What Is New In Ankle Arthroplasty, Allograft, & Fusion. Current Opinion In Orthopaedics. (2004)
