Sports Medicine Chronic Ankle Instability

What Are the Signs & Symptoms?

• on-going ankle pain
• pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising at the site of injury
• feeling of ankle giving out or being loose
• not able to run, cut or jump at full speed

Increased Risk

• repeated injuries to the foot or ankle
• being born with joint looseness        
• poor warm-up before practice or play
• high risk sports (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics)
• poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)
• returning to sports too soon after injury
• activity where the foot may land sideways while running, walking or jumping

How Is Chronic Ankle Instability Treated?

• Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin^® or Advil^®) or naproxen (Aleve^®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^®), may be used or a topical cream.
• Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Orthopedic aids
  • A brace, walking boot or compressive elastic bandage may be recommended to provide stability to the ankle.
  • Crutches may be needed in the beginning until you can walk without pain.
• Rehab
  • Rehab may be needed to regain motion & strength, and to retrain balance skills to prevent future injury. Your health care provider may refer you to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for more treatment.

How to Prevent

• Finish all rehab after initial injury and balance training activities.
• Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.
• Use protective taping, strapping, braces or high-top tennis shoes.
• Maintain suitable conditioning, ankle and leg flexibility, muscle strength and endurance.
• Provide ankle support for at least 12 months following injury.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:

• symptoms get worse or do not improve despite treatment
• you experience locking or catching in the ankle
• you feel pain, numbness or cold in the foot
• new, unexplained symptoms develop

Helping Hands Patient Education Materials

Written and illustrated by medical, nursing and allied health professionals at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Helping Hand instructions are intended as a supplement to verbal instructions provided by a medical professional. The information is periodically reviewed and revised to reflect our current practice. However, Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the information in the Helping Hands.

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