Ankle Instability Treatment

Overview

Ankle instability is the term given to the weakness that sometimes develops in the ankle after a sprain. According to Dr. Martin J. O'Malley, an orthopedic surgeon at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery, when the ligaments around the ankle heal after a sprain, they may become lengthened. This altered position makes it more likely for the ankle to "give out" more often than a healthy joint. Ankle instability can be treated and most of the time does not require surgery.

Medication

Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, may be used to reduce the swelling associated with ankle instability. The medication can also help curb the pain felt in the joint and soft tissues.

Exercises

Medical experts at the UC San Diego Medical Center explain that strengthening exercises can help the affected ankle become stronger. Physical therapists are often employed to teach patients the correct way to perform exercises on the weak ankle.

Bracing

Air casts or braces can help the weakened ankle heal by providing stability.

Arthroscopic Cleaning

Ankle instability treatment can include an arthroscopic procedure called debridement, or "cleaning." This type of surgery is used to remove scar tissue that could be hampering normal healing of the ankle.

Tendon and Ligament Repair

In some cases, more extensive surgery is required to treat ankle instability. Surgeons can repair ligaments that are too loose, or reconstruct tendons that are weak and unable to support the ankle.