Ankle Pain & Instability Treatment
Lateral ankle instability is a condition where there is recurring giving way of the outer/lateral side of the ankle joint. This condition develops after repeated ankle sprains. Symptoms include repeated turning of the ankle, persistent discomfort and swelling, pain/tenderness, and the ankle feeling wobbly or unstable.
Non-surgical treatment includes activity modification, shoe modification, bracing/orthotics, anti-inflammatories and physical therapy.
Surgical management is reserved for cases that do not respond to the above conservative measures and involves reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments. This is accomplished through a surgery called a Modified Brostrom procedure. For this procedure, an incision is placed on the outside of the ankle and the outer ankle ligament called the ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament) is detached from the fibula. Suture anchors are placed into the fibula and then passed through the ligament to tighten it up. This stabilizes the ankle and in most cases is further secured with an additional piece of flat suture to allow for quicker recovery.