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Jackson,MI
100 S. Cooper St. 49201
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Adrian,MI
1325 N. Main St. 49221
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Ann
Arbor,MI
4335 Jackson Rd 48103
100 S. Cooper St. 49201
1325 N. Main St. 49221
4335 Jackson Rd 48103
Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring giving way of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains.
Chronic ankle pain is a very common occurrence which can be very debilitating. There are many causes of chronic ankle pain but today we will focus on ankle pain associated with osteoarthritis and in post traumatic arthritis.
Symptoms range from pain at rest, pain with weight bearing and restricted motion across the ankle joint. Pain intensity and character can be affected with changes in weather. Cold and rain seems to bring about a flare.
First step is a proper and thorough physical exam followed by ankle Xrays that we take in our office. It is common to find loss of joint space with bone spurring within the ankle joint on Xrays. Advanced imaging such as CT scans and MRIs are often required.
Initial Treatment usually includes Range of motion exercises, steroid injections, bracing, formal physical therapy, shoe gear modifications, anti inflammatory medications, topical painkillers, PRP injections, amniotic growth factor injections and viscosupplementation injection. These treatment modalities can provide relief to our patients and many times we can delay surgery or avoid it by conservative approaches described above.
Some patients however have extensive damage to the articulating surface of the ankle joint and require a different approach. At times, we can offer arthroscopic debridement (clean out) of the ankle joint which requires only two 1-2 cm incisions on the front of your ankle.
First Many times conservative treatments do not provide complete relief to our patients. Based on their age, lifestyle requirements and overall health we can utilize more extensive surgeries including ankle joint fusion and total ankle replacement.
Recovery varies based on the choice of procedure. After Ankle arthroscopic debridement patients usually walk right away in a CAM ( controlled ankle motion) walker. Ankle fusion and replacement protocols typically involve non-weightbearing with cast and crutches until the bone heals, a process that can take 6 weeks to 12 weeks.
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For our patient’s convenience, we offer foot and ankle treatments for all kinds of conditions such as Chronic ankle instability in Adrian, MI, Chronic ankle instability in Ann Arbor, MI, and Chronic ankle instability in Jackson, MI. We have our own digital x-ray, MRI, Cat-scan, and ultrasound equipment at many of our podiatry clinics. Our on-site podiatric physical therapy clinics allow for constant communication between the physicians and physical therapists, ensuring the most effective therapy and successful recovery for our patients.
