Last July, U.S. singer Billie Eilish fell down a flight of stairs before a performance in Greece and sprained her ankle. In September, she had to be carried off stage in Milan during another concert to get her ankle treated before continuing. At Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care, we know that ankle problems, when they become chronic, can be quite debilitating.
Recurring Problems
The most common cause of chronic ankle pain and instability is a not fully rehabilitated previous sprain. Think of the ligaments of your ankle as a rubber band. When you sprain your ankle, you overstretch the rubber band. If you repeatedly overstretch a rubber band, it eventually loses its ability to tighten back up and becomes slack. It is what happens with your ankle. Many patients mistakenly think that once their ankle stops hurting, they are ready to resume all their regular activities and may cut physical therapy short. It is a mistake because, in addition to the ankle ligaments that need healing, the muscles that surround and support the ligaments also need to be strengthened and re-trained. When this fails to occur, your ankle may feel wobbly or like it’s going to “give way” when you walk. Other possible signs of chronic ankle problems include:
- Tenderness
- Aching or pain
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
In this condition, it’s likely that the ankle will twist again and that you’ll suffer more sprains in the future.
A Permanent Fix
If you are suffering from symptoms of chronic ankle instability, it’s time to make an appointment at our Edison (732-204-6630), Monroe (732-204-6802), or Monmouth Junction (732-204-6945) offices to see our podiatrists, Dr. Varun Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah. The foot doctor will want to examine your ankle and get a complete history of previous injuries and treatments. Ultrasound or x-rays may be ordered (which can be done right in our offices) to get a complete picture. Once the podiatrist determines the severity of your ankle problem, the correct course of treatment can be determined. It may include physical therapy, resting from sports or fitness activities, bracing, orthotics, or even surgery. Whatever the foot doctor prescribes, be sure to complete the course of treatment prescribed to ensure that your ankle is fully rehabilitated.
Author Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care