Chronic ankle instablility can cause severe on-going ankle pain if not addressed properly. It usually occurs after a one or multiple lateral ankle sprains.
It can lead to continued symptoms such as swelling, weakness, instability and balance issues for more than 6 months after the inital injury. Chronic ankle instability will not rectify on its own, it will require physiotherapy intervention.
Your physiotherapist may examine to see if you have a chronic ankle instability issue. These indicators may include; an inability to complete jumping and landing tasks within 2 weeks of initial injury, poorer dynamic control on the star excursion balance test at 6 months after the initial injury, poorer self-reported functions on the foot and ankle ability measure.
Your physiotherapist will assess all joints affected by the injury as well as those affected by an altered gait or limping. They will work with you to normalise correct movement at all stages of recovery. In particular they will focus on rehabilitation work to help to gradually strengthen your ankle and lower limb so you can return to normal activites. A combination of soft tissue massage techniques, dry needling, stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises will be used to achieve this.
If you wish to book a consultation with one of our physiotherapy ankle specialists at Archview Physiotherapy Pain and Sports Clinic with, please contact 014913228 or email us at [email protected].
