FAQs

Is it normal after ankle surgery 5 years ago that I can't stand on my left leg without falling over?

I just noticed yesterday when I was playing Simon Says with my five-year-old that I can no longer stand on my left leg without falling over. I did have surgery on that side two years ago for a badly sprained ankle. But I went through physiotherapy and everything seemed fine back then. Is this normal? Should I be worried? What you are describing might be something referred to as functional instability. More formal testing would be needed to know for sure -- and to advise you what to do. Functiona...

Does arthritis in an ankle get worse or time or should I have surgery?

I have arthritis in one ankle from a bad break I got when I was a wild and wooley 20-something. Now I'm paying for it in my 40s. Is there any way to tell if I'm getting worse over time and when I should have surgery? I want to put it off for as long as possible. Severe ankle arthritis is less common than hip or knee arthritis but just as disabling. It is possible to take baseline measurements and to measure the impact of ankle arthritis on function. Limitations in function during daily activitie...

Is there anything else that can be down for the outside edge of my ankle sprain?

O geez. I sprained the outside edge of my left ankle two months ago and it never healed right. Clicking, popping, pain, etc. Finally saw an orthopedist. Said I need surgery because the tendon is popping in and out of the groove. Yikes. Is there anything else that can be done? You may have an unusual lateral ankle sprain with a condition called peroneal tendon instability. A lateral ankle sprain means the side of the ankle away from the other leg is sprained. The two peroneal tendons go down the ...

Should Athletes Wear Ankle Brace to Prevent Sprains

This may be the first study to look at preventing ankle sprains (and other leg injuries) by wearing a soft, lace-up ankle brace. Ankle sprains may seem like a minor problem but they put many athletes on the bench every year. And the effects can catch up with you much later in life. Chronic ankle stability, decreased physical activity, and ankle osteoarthritis head the list of potential long-term effects of ankle sprain.Can a simple lace-up ankle brace really prevent ankle sprains? To find out, a...

Alternative to Ankle Fusion for Marathon Athlete

X-rays of my right ankle show arthritis just on one side of the joint. I'd really like to keep training for a marathon but the pain is starting to get to me. I don't think fusing the joint is such a good idea. Can something else be done to fix the problem?

Motion Problem After Removal of Ankle Cast

Wow! I broke my ankle six weeks ago, and when they took the cast off, I could barely move my foot and ankle. Is this common?

Ankle Sprain Swelling and Function

When it comes to ankle sprains, how much is swelling related to ankle function?

Ballet Dancer Ankle Problem

My daughter is a ballet dancer and off her feet with this problem. What can be done to treat it?

Surgery for Ankle with Chronic Sprains

What kinds of surgical techniques are used to stabilize an ankle with chronic sprains?

Preventing Football Related Ankle Sprains

I'm a high school football coach. We seem to have a high number of ankle sprains putting our players on the bench. Is this typical? What can we do about it?

Volleyball Athlete with Weak Ankles

I'm a college-level volleyball player with weak ankles. I trained extra to prevent ankle injuries and ended up hurting my knee. Am I just prone to injury no matter what I do?

Common Athletic Ankle Injuries

I'm 17 years old (a girl) and very athletic. I made it through high school injury-free. I know girls are more likely to injure their ACLs. Are there other injuries we should watch out for?

Alternative to Cast for Grade III Ankle Sprain

I went to the emergency department for what turned out to be a Grade III ankle sprain. The doctor advised using a cast for a week to 10 days before switching to an ankle brace. I have a newspaper route and can't afford to let the cast slow me down. What are my options?

Muscles to Strengthen After Sprain

I was coming down off the bleachers at a basketball game and missed the last step. My foot twisted in and I sprained my ankle. Do I need to strengthen all the muscles around the ankle or just the ones I sprained?

Treatment for Torn Ligament

I was coming down from a lay up during a basketball game two days ago. When I landed, my foot rolled in and I tore a ligament on the outside of my ankle. Will I need surgery to fix this problem, or are there things I can do to avoid surgery?

Should I Seek Treatment for Ankle Swelling from Old Injury?

I tweaked an old ankle injury ice skating last night. There's quite a bit of swelling along the outside ankle bone. I know the swelling will go down on its own. Is there any real reason to get treatment for this?

Treatment Options for Athlete's Damaged Ankle

I sprained my right ankle at least a dozen times during high school and college sports. Now I can hardly walk without it giving way. Is there anything that can be done about this?

How Does R.I.C.E. Relate to Treatment of Ankle Injury?

I sprained my ankle, and my buddy said something about "rice." Is this a special diet or what?

Use Heat or Ice for Sprained Ankle?

I sprained my ankle two weeks ago. I have been using ice and keeping the ankle wrapped with an ace wrap. When can I use heat instead of ice?

Why Does Ankle Still Feel Weak Months After Sprain?

I sprained my ankle six months ago. It still feels like the ankle could give out from under me at any time. Why is that?

How to Speed Healing of Sprained Ankle

I sprained my ankle pretty good when I stepped down off the curb wrong. I've got a big walking trip to Europe planned in three weeks. Is there any way I can speed up the recovery process?

Why Is It Important to Reduce Swelling of Sprained Ankle?

I sprained my ankle over the weekend and ended up in the emergency room for treatment. The nurses and doctors spent the whole time telling me how to get the swelling down. This may sound dumb, but why is that so important?

Will Sprained Ankle Become Arthritic?

I sprained my ankle last summer. After a few months it seemed to go back to normal. Will I get arthritis in this ankle later?

What Is the RICE Method?

I sprained my ankle at a track meet. My coach wants me to see a physical therapist, but I say I can ice and wrap my ankle on my own. Is physical therapy worth my time?

Ankle Sprain Making Joint Feel Unstable

I sprained my ankle and have a lot of swelling and pain. Why does the joint feel unstable, and what can I do to make it better?

What is Cold Therapy for Ankle Sprain?

I recently sprained my ankle. The information I received suggested "cold therapy" as a form of treatment for the first 24 hours. What does this mean, and how do I use it?

Snowboarders Risk for Ankle Injuries

I just took up snowboarding. Are my ankles likely to get hurt?

Stiffness After Ankle Cast Removed

I have had a cast on my ankle for four weeks for a bone fracture. Now that the cast is off, I'm slowly (very slowly) getting my motion back. I can see how immobilizing the joint can cause stiffness but why is it taking so long to get over?

How Will a Plastic Ankle Brace Help Me Walk?

I have ankle osteoarthritis. My doctor thinks I should get a plastic brace for my foot and ankle. How is this going to help me walk better?

Tennis After Total Ankle Replacement (TAR)

I had a total ankle replacement about six months ago. I'd like to get back on the tennis courts now. Are there any guidelines I should follow?

Athlete's Weak Ankle After Severe Sprain

I had a severe ankle sprain during a tennis match last year. The ankle feels unsteady to me, like I can't trust it. It also rolls in without warning. Why is this, and what can be done for it?

Speed Recovery After Major Ankle Sprain

I had a major ankle sprain after falling from a ladder. So far, my doctor and therapist have had me keep it wrapped, iced, and elevated. Is there anything else I can do to speed up my recovery?

Recurrent Ankle Sprain

I had a bad ankle sprain last year. Since then, I keep twisting my ankle for no apparent reason. Why is this, and what can I do to prevent it from happening?

Resuming Horseback Riding After Broken Ankle

I broke my ankle when I was thrown from my horse. I had to have surgery to pin the bones together. Now that the cast is off I'd like to go horseback riding again. Is this allowed?

Ankle Support to Prevent Athletic Injuries

I am training on a trampoline for competition in gymnastic events. I've been told ankle injuries are common in this sport. I'd like to find some kind of ankle support to prevent this from happening. What do you recommend?

Disk Training Treatment for Ankle Sprain

I am being treated for an ankle sprain. My physical therapist has me stand and work my ankle on a big round disk. How does this type of training help?

Preventing Ankle Sprains Caused by Snowboarding

I am a snowboarder, and I've had a couple of painful ankle sprains. Should I do something about it?

Athlete Wrapping Ankle Sprain for Competition

I am a gymnast coming up on a big regional tournament. About two weeks ago, I sprained my ankle. My coach wants me to wear tape during the competition. I'm worried it will hold me back. What should I do?

Can an Ankle Sprain Cause Pain in the Knee?

I am a competitive runner. During my training for a marathon, I increased my mileage. Shortly after that, I twisted my ankle while running. My ankle doesn’t hurt, but my knee does. There’s a painful tenderness along the outside of the knee, just below the joint. Can an ankle sprain cause pain at the knee?

Broken or Sprained Ankle?

How can you tell whether an ankle is broken or just sprained?

What Is a High Ankle Sprain?

Have you ever heard of a high ankle sprain? My daughter hurt her ankle while playing hockey and this is what the doctors are calling it?

Repeated Ankle Sprains

Every now and then my ankle gives way on me. I sprained it about two years ago. It feels like I'm respraining it a little bit each time this happens. Why does this happen?

Does Ankle Taping Prevent Injury?

Does ankle taping really work? I see many of my teammates using various methods of taping to keep from re-spraining their ankles. If it works, which type of taping is best?

How Long After Sprain Before I Can Jump?

After spraining my ankle I notice I can step down off stairs or curbs but I still can't jump across a puddle or other obstacles. How long does it take to get this skill back?

Weak Ankles After Playing Volleyball

After playing volleyball for a few hours, my ankles feel wobbly and weak. What causes this? Is there something I can do about it?

Ankle Giving Out After Sprain

A year ago I sprained my right ankle. It doesn't hurt but it gives out on me. What could be causing this?

Fracture Pain and Stiffness Returning

A year ago I fractured my ankle and had a very slow recovery. Everything finally seemed to be working fine but now it's starting to stiffen up and hurt quite a bit. Am I going to have problems like this for the rest of my life?
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