Ankle Instability Update

Abstract

Sprains are the most frequent injuries of the ankle, especially in sports. Up to 85% of cases affect the lateral ligament complex. Multi-ligament injuries with associated lesions of the external complex, deltoid, syndesmosis, and sinus tarsi ligaments are also common. Most ankle sprains respond to conservative treatment. However, up to 20 to 30% of patients can develop chronic ankle pain and instability.New concepts have been recently developed, based on arthroscopic advances, such as microinstability and rotatory ankle instability. These entities could be precursors of mechanical ankle instability and at the origin of frequently associated ankle injuries, such as peroneus tendon lesions, impingement syndromes, or osteochondral lesions.Imaging methods, especially magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography, are key in precisely diagnosing ligament lesions and associated injuries, facilitating an adequate therapeutic approach.

Clinical Assessment of Ankle Instability: An Update on Which, When, Why

“…CAI is an extremely common post-traumatic condition that has a negative impact, especially on athletic patients' outcomes. Most of the CAI can be attributed to the lateral compartment (62). Medial ankle instability is rarer than lateral instability, in fact isolated deltoid ligament injury accounts for approximately 3-4% of ankle ligament injuries and is often associated with fractures (6).…”