Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Abstract

Chronic lateral ankle instability may be present in as many as 10% to 30% of people suffering from acute lateral ankle ligament injuries. Ankle instability has been referred to as either functional instability or mechanical instability. Management options consist of either nonoperative or operative treatment, with the majority of the literature emphasizing operative management for chronic instability. Long-term studies assessing the different types of available operative repairs have now been published. This review article discusses chronic lateral ankle ligament instability from a functional, anatomical point of view. The indications for treatment, nonoperative and operative treatment, as well as the biomechanical information available regarding these methods of treatment are considered. The major emphasis of this review is discussion and analysis of the many different surgical treatment options. Following this review, we presently recommend anatomical repair to the bone of both the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament, together with imbrication of the ligaments. In patients with hypermobility, long-standing instability, or arthritis, reconstruction using the Chrisman-Snook technique is recommended.

Contralateral force sense deficits are related to the presence of functional ankle instability

“…It has been reported that 10-30% of all lateral ankle sprains lead to this type of instability. 1 The residual symptoms present in those with FAI can be very debilitating, and last for years after the initial injury. 2 Like other disorders that result from trauma, FAI is a continuum that can range from mild, moderate, to severe.…”

Altered left ventricular performance in aging physically active mice with an ankle sprain injury

“…Additionally, ankle sprains are the most common musculoskeletal injury suffered during physical activity and sport (Fernandez et al 2007;Hootman et al 2007) and the CDC has reported that lower extremity injury is a leading reason why people stop participating in lifelong physical activity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009). Although commonly viewed as an inconsequential injury, around $4 billion dollars of medical costs annually are related to this injury (Soboroff et al 1984) with up to 30-75 % of children and adults reporting chronic ankle problems associated with lifelong residual problems (e.g., balance deficits) (Mandarakas et al 2014;Peters et al 1991;Smith and Reischl 1986). Also, approximately 78 % of those with chronic ankle problems will develop ankle osteoarthritis (Hirose et al 2004;Valderrabano et al 2006).…”

Six Weeks of Balance Training Improves Sensorimotor Function in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability

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T he tendency toward repeated ankle sprains and recurring symptoms (eg, pain, weakness, giving way) has been termed "chronic ankle instability" (CAI) 35 and reported to occur in as high as 40% to 70% of individuals who have sustained a lateral ankle sprain. 7,23,45 Changes in sensorimotor system function are thought to be involved in the decreased postural control and joint position awareness and increased instability found in individuals with CAI.

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