What is Ankle instability?
Ankle instability is a condition where the ligaments on the outside of your ankle have become stretched. If you have an unstable ankle you are more susceptible to ankle sprains.
What causes Ankle instability?
Ankle instability is usually caused by previous ankle sprains that have not healed properly or had not been diagnosed and were left untreated. Ankle sprains stretch and tear your ligaments (connective tissue). Instability may also be a result of biomechanical abnormalities, resulting from poor posture or poor running and walking gait. All these elements will put additional stress on the ankle joints that could cause further injuries, such as cartilage damage, that itself creates more instability.
What are the symptoms of Ankle instability?
- Sense your foot tends to roll inwards when walking or running
- Find your ankle gives way easily
- Feel unstable walking - particularly on uneven surfaces
- Have pain or soreness in your ankle.
How is Ankle instability diagnosed?
At Liverpool Physio our physiotherapists can provide a detailed assessment to find out if you have ankle instability.
To book an assessment with a physiotherapist, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call today on 0151 558 0077.
What would a physiotherapy assessment for Ankle instability involve?
We commit to providing high quality treatment and our physiotherapists will take time to gain all the information they need before providing you with the most appropriate treatment. At Liverpool Physio, your initial assessment will be broken down into two sections:
Subjective
Our physiotherapist will gain as much information about the onset of your symptoms and how much you are experiencing them. They will ask about any history of injuries you may have had to your ankle and gain an understanding of how your ankle problems are impacting your lifestyle.
Objective
Following this our physiotherapist will make note of your current pain, and assess your available range of movement, muscle strength in your foot and lower leg, and perform a variety of special tests to identify if you have ankle instability.
Joints and muscles above and below the point of your injury will be assessed as your foot and calf muscles are closely linked to the ankle. You will also be assessed carrying out functional activities such as walking, jumping and balancing on one leg.
What would physiotherapy treatment for an Ankle Fracture involve?
If you have an ankle fracture, some of the treatments we would be able to provide you with at Liverpool Physio are listed below:
The treatment you receive will help to decrease the pain and swelling in your ankle through the use of:
- Joint mobilisations
- Stretches
- Balance re-training with use of wobble boards, trampets and more
- Foot/ankle sensation re-training if you suffered from any nerve damage
- Heat treatments
- Light massage
- Strengthening exercises
- onAdvice on activity modification
- Advice on suitable footwear
How can I arrange a physiotherapy assessment for an Ankle Fracture?
If you are experiencing sharp pain or swelling in your foot/ankle, and it is affecting your normal activity, you would benefit from an appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists.
You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment and we can advise you if further treatment is recommended, or give you details on self-management for minor cases. To arrange an appointment please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call today on 0151 558 0077.
Summary
Ankle fractures can easily be mistaken for ankle sprains, but require different treatment. For this reason, it is important that you get your ankle assessed as soon as you realise there is a problem. At Liverpool Physio we will ensure you get the best treatment for your injury.
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