Do I Have Ankle Instability?

Do I Have Ankle Instability?

Find out if your ankle weakness could be due to instability and how to treat it.

Ankles that feel as if they might give out, particularly on the outer side of the ankle, are always a cause for concern, as this could be due to chronic ankle instability. Repeated ankle sprains that did not heal as they should or were not cared for properly are usually the main causes of chronic ankle instability and ankle pain. Fortunately, our Land O’ Lakes, FL, podiatrist Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas at Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center can help.

When you sprain an ankle the ligaments are either torn or stretched. The purpose of treatment is to help strengthen the muscles around the ankle to help improve balance and facilitate healing of the ligaments. But if you don’t seek treatment from our Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, FL, foot doctors then you could end up dealing with multiple ankle sprains, chronic ankle pain, and ankle instability in the future.

Do I have ankle instability?

Those with this condition may experience any of these symptoms:

  • Chronic pain, swelling, and tenderness
  • An unstable ankle
  • An ankle that turns in while walking or during physical activity

If you are experiencing chronic or persistent ankle pain it might be due to ankle instability or you could be dealing with another issue. This is why you should visit our Land O’ Lakes, FL, foot and ankle team right away for diagnosis and treatment. X-rays or other imaging tests are often needed to diagnose ankle instability.

How is ankle instability treated?

The million-dollar question! The results of your tests, the severity of your symptoms, and how physically active you are will determine whether you will require nonsurgical or surgical treatment. The most common non-surgical options include,

  • Pain relievers: Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can target both pain and inflammation.
  • Ankle brace: Wearing an ankle brace can provide stability and support for the ankle and prevent it from turning outward. Wearing a brace can also protect the ankle from future sprains.
  • Physical therapy: By incorporating stretching and strengthening exercises into your daily routine you can retrain and strengthen muscles to reduce pain and improve movement and balance. We can show you the best exercises to improve your ankle instability.

Do I need surgery?

If your problem is severe or if nonsurgical treatments aren’t giving you the results you need the next step may be surgery. The purpose of surgery is to repair the damaged ligament or ligaments. If surgery is necessary we would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your options.

Don’t let ankle problems keep you from your life. Turn to our podiatrists Dr. George Tjamaloukas and Dr. Kathy Tjamaloukas and the team at Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center in Land O’ Lakes, FL, and serving Wesley Chapel, FL. Call us at (813) 909-0865.