Chronic Ankle Instability

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.