Chronic ankle sprains, also known as ankle instability, are usually due to repetitive accidents or injuries to the ankle joint.   This differs from an acute ankle sprain when only one injury occurs.  I often get asked by my patients, “Why does my ankle give way simply from walking?”  I answer by asking, “How many times have you sprained your ankle and how often does it give out?”  The answers vary, but most often I hear a patient has had a minimum of 3 prior ankle injuries.  Some patients tell me the ankle gives way once a week.

The ankle joint is a complex joint made up of Tibia, Fibula, and Talus bones and numerous ligaments.  Chronic ankle sprains or instability occur when one or more of the ligaments are either ruptured or stretched to the point that the ankle continually subluxes or “turns under”.
When you meet with your foot and ankle specialists, he or she will perform a simple non-painful test called an anterior drawer sign.  If the test is positive, you have damaged the ligament to the point where it no longer can do its job.  An X-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, or MRI may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.  

The next question we get usually get is, “When can I return to my activities?”  This depends on the severity of the injury to the ligament.  Treatment is RICE : Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.  Your podiatrist may strap the joint with tape in a certain position or place you in a brace or walking boot for a period of time.

If the ligament is completely ruptured, it will often need surgical repair..  The good news is if surgery is needed, the ankle will be difficult to injure again. After they heal, most patients will often say, “My ankle feels so much stronger compared to the uninjured ankle.”  

The most important information is how to prevent an ankle injury.  If an injury is due to trauma, like a fall at work or car accident, then there isn’t much you can do to prevent it.  If you are participating in sports or strenuous exercise, then your podiatrist can show you simple strapping techniques or fit you with a brace to wear in your athletic shoe that will help prevent an injury.

If you do injure your ankle, you should always have it checked by a podiatrist the same day it happens if at all possible.  Many times fractures can occur and need immediate treatment.   Most podiatrists have digital X-rays in their office and can get the results in 30 seconds.  Treat any injury to the ankle as a serious issue to help prevent it from becoming a chronic problem.

If you suspect you have chronic instability of the ankle, contact Dr. Bowman’s office at www.houstonfootspecialists.com or call 713-467-8886.

     Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback Orlando Scandrick is out for the next 3-4 weeks with an ankle injury suffered in Sunday's season-opening loss to the New York Jets. While it is not always easy to determine if it is a sprain or a fracture – the only way to be sure is through an x-ray –ankle sprains are a common injury that we see all the time at Houston Foot Specialists.  If you have ever had one (or have chronic ankle injuries), you know that they tend to be very painful, thus keeping you on the sidelines for extended periods of time.  If you have experienced an ankle sprain recently, it’s very important to have it checked out to see whether there has been extensive damage. 

     The way to treat a sprained ankle is RICE - Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate.  Make sure you rest by keeping off your injured ankle as much as possible.  Also, ice the ankle a couple times a day, as it will reduce swelling.  Make sure you don’t put the ice directly on your skin, but rather it’s best to put the ice in a zip lock bag and then wrap it in a small hand towel.  That way, the ice won’t burn your skin.  Always keep your ankle wrapped in compression bandages, which will help stabilize your ankle so that the tendons and ligaments can heal.  If your doctor tells you that the sprain is more severe than a common sprain, your doctor might have you keep a splint or small cast on the ankle.  This will keep your ankle in one position, allowing the tendons and ligaments to heal. Additionally, your doctor might order an MRI.  Lastly, while you rest and ice, keep your ankle elevated above your heart.  This helps reduce swelling.  

     Ankle sprains might be common, but they are preventable.  If you are prone to ankle sprains, wear ankle braces when participating in sport activities.  Check out your shoes.  Make sure that your shoes keep your feet parallel to the ground, not rotating one way or the other.  If your feet tend to rotate in when you walk, get shoes that have a thicker sole under your arch.  If you tend to rotate out, get shoes that have a thicker sole on the outside of the foot.  This, plus the addition of custom orthotics insider your shoes,  will help stabilize the ankle and prevent ankle sprains.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at Houston Foot Specialists.

    Have you had problems with ankle injuries?  With Achilles Tendinosois?  How about flat feet?  If you have any of these foot and ankle related problems, you might need to look into getting a Colorado Custom Brace.  These braces are designed to fit your feet without any prefabricated components to help insure a completely perfect fit.  This way the brace fits comfortably and will help treat and prevent many foot and ankle related issues.  The Colorado Custom Brace is made by the Rocky Mountain Orthotic and Brace Company, and it is the best brace available today.  There is more information about this brace on our website. It is made of leather that is of Orthopedic grade, meaning it is durable and comfortable.  It is custom made to fit your feet and only your feet, no one else’s.  A brace also will correct many problems so that you don’t have to endure surgery.  It helps conditions problems like drop foot after a stroke, helps those with conditions like MS and Muscular Dystrophy and also helps to prevent falls in the elderly.

    You might be wondering if the brace is bulky and that you’ll have to buy new shoes just to be able to wear the brace, but the brace is designed to be discreet, making it able to fit into all shoes.  Meaning you won’t have to go out and buy new shoes just to wear with your brace, but it will fit in the shoes you already own.  So are you interested in learning more?  First take a look at Colorado Custom Brace at this link - http://www.rmolink.com/rocky_mountain_custom.html, and also look around the Rocky Mountain Orthotic and Brace Company’s website to see what else they have to offer.  Next step would be to go and ask your podiatrist to help you get into one of these braces.  If you don’t have a podiatrist, we would love to talk to you and answer your questions. 

    Check out our website at http://www.houstonfootspecialists.com/ or give us a call at 713-467-8886.  Don’t put off taking care of your feet anymore, but make sure your feet are happy feet and injury free!