You continue to sprain your ankle and have ongoing pain and don’t ‘trust’ it.

Below is a guide to the surgical management of ankle instability

The majority of ankle sprain injuries occur following a twisting injury. Typically this is an ‘inversion’ type injury where the ankle turns inwards and the body ‘goes over’ the ankle joint. This pattern results in injury to the outer (lateral) sided ankle ligaments (ATFL / CFL).

Chronic ankle symptoms following an ankle sprain often include pain, instability (the feeling that the ankle joint is going to ‘roll over’), and persistent swelling. When any of these symptoms are present, despite conservative management, surgery is considered.

Rehabilitation is Essential

Following your procedure a structured strengthening and physiotherapy program will commence

Following hospital discharge you will be fitted with a specialised boot. You are able to weight bear immediately, however you may find that the use of crutches for 1-2 days will be beneficial. During the first week after surgery, keeping your leg elevated where possible will reduce postoperative swelling.

For the first 4 weeks, a dedicated program is commenced to focus on ankle and hindfoot range of motion, with calf strengthening and peroneal muscle strengthening.

Further strengthening and proprioceptive training is conducted from 4-8 weeks.Following this, the commencement of training and sport specific exercises may commence in conjunction with physiotherapy supervision.