Do you have a history of ankle sprains?
Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries seen in ER's and occurring among physically active individuals. As many as 30,000 occur each day in the U.S. They are the most common injuries among college athletes. Up to 85% of ankle sprains involve the lateral ankle ligaments.
Your lateral (or outside) of your ankle is supported by three ligaments. The ATFL is the most commonly injured ligament in the ankle. You also have your CFL which is the next most commonly injured in lateral ankle sprains. Lastly you have your PTFL which is the last ligament to go in a severe ankle injury. Most ankle injuries are treated conservatively (>70%). Unfortunately in lateral ankle injuries there is a 2-fold increase in injury up to the first year and a 34% within the first three years. These repetitive injuries can lead to attenuation and even rupture of the ligament.
70% of patients may develop secondary problems such as chronic pain and instability. 25% of athletes have a history of chronic lateral ankle instability and is actually higher in dancers at 59%.
When the ankle is unstable and chronic pain occurs, the ankle likely needs surgery to repair the torn or attenuated ligaments.
To see one way Dr. Haynes repairs the ligament see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPIMlF5prUY
If you suffer from an unstable ankle or have history of multiple ankle injuries, contact us at Elite Foot & Ankle Associates at (503) 668-5210 or www.elitefaor.com
