Ankle Instability

Recurrent instability is defined as a patient that frequently rolls or sprains the ankle. This prevents the patient from returning to desired activities and can cause subsequent damage to the ankle. A patient with multiple ankle sprains is less likely to respond to functional rehabilitation. The surgical treatment of recurrent instability is repair or tightening of the ligaments. The surgery is an outpatient(ambulatory) procedure performed under general anesthesia or regional block with sedation. The patient is discharged in a splint and is nonweightbearing on crutches. In two weeks, the stitches are removed and a CAM boot is worn. The patient is still on crutches for two more weeks. At four weeks, the patient may begin weight-bearing in the boot. Physical therapy begins at six weeks and the patient transitions into ankle brace.