It’s hockey season, and any good player knows the importance of ankle strength for the game. If you have ankle instability, it’s difficult to stay up on your feet, let alone your skates! Thankfully treatment exists and it doesn’t always need to involve surgery, either. Find out what the best course of treatment is for you, so you can stay steady on your feet.
Unstable ankles are often a result of chronic ankle sprains or not allowing a sprain to heal properly before putting pressure on it. You may experience discomfort, swelling, pain, or a feeling of wobbly feet. This is not normal and should not be ignored, as weakened ankles can lead to another sprain and the cycle will begin again. Instead, get the correct treatment the first time, and you may not need to deal with the constant frustration of feeling like you’re going to fall over.
Treatment for Weak Ankles
Treatment will usually begin with physical therapy. Different exercises are utilized to strengthen the ankles, increase range of motion, promote balance, and retrain your muscle strength. If you are physically active in a sport, you may receive specific exercises and stretches that are unique to your activity.
Your doctor may also recommend that you wear a brace for a period of time to support your ankle as it heals. You may be prescribed medication for the pain and discomfort you feel, and to decrease swelling. If you’ve tried all of these methods and nothing has worked, you might consider having surgery to correct the problem.
There are different types of procedures to treat weak ankles, but they all typically involve repairing or reconstructing damaged ligaments. You and your doctor can discuss which operation will work best in your circumstance.
If you have more questions or concerns about ankle instability, we can help! Call Dr. Peyman Elison and Dr. Viedra Elison at (623) 584-5556 to schedule an appointment with us at Fixing Feet Institute in Surprise, AZ. Together we can come up with the best treatment plan for you, so that are able to feel safe and steady on your feet again.
