Chronic Ankle Laxity

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KEY POINTS

• Chronic ankle laxity is stretched or torn ligaments that make your ankle joint loose and unsteady.
• Treatment may include exercises, an ankle brace, or surgery to rebuild the damaged ligaments.
• You can help prevent injuries to your ankle by doing warm-up exercises and stretching before your activities. The best way to prevent this problem is to do the exercises recommended by your healthcare provider after an ankle injury. You may need to keep doing the exercises for a long time after an injury. You may need to wear a brace for some activities.

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What is chronic ankle laxity?

Chronic ankle laxity is a problem with the ligaments in your ankle. Because of stretched or torn ligaments, the ankle joint is loose and unsteady. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect one bone to another to form the joints.

What is the cause?

Chronic ankle laxity can result from injuries to the ligaments in your ankle. When a ligament is injured, it can be stretched, partially torn, or completely torn. A ligament injury is called a sprain. If you have had several severe sprains or torn ligaments, your ankle joint loses some of its natural support and may twist or sprain more easily.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• A feeling that your ankle is weak and giving way when you twist or turn
• Recurrent pain and swelling

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms, activities, and medical history. Tests may include:

• X-rays
• MRI, which uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show detailed pictures of your foot and leg

How is it treated?

Your healthcare provider or physical therapist will recommend exercises for your ankle that work on range of motion, strength, and balance. You may need to wear a brace to support your ankle.

If your ankle keeps being loose and unstable, your provider may recommend surgery to rebuild the damaged ligaments. This will make the ankle more stable and stop the feeling that your ankle is weak and giving way.

Without treatment, you may keep injuring and twisting your ankle. These repeated twists can cause long-term damage to your ankle joint.

The pain often gets better within a few weeks with self-care, but some injuries may take several months or longer to heal. It’s important to follow all of your healthcare provider’s instructions.

How can I take care of myself?

To reduce swelling and pain:

• Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the injured area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time.
• Take nonprescription pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, you should not take these medicines for more than 10 days.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age.
  • Acetaminophen may cause liver damage or other problems. Unless recommended by your provider, don't take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours. To make sure you don’t take too much, check other medicines you take to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Ask your provider if you need to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
• Keep your ankle up on a pillow when you sit or lie down.
• Use an ankle brace as directed by your provider.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Ask your provider:

• How and when you will get your test results
• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent chronic ankle laxity?

The best way to prevent this problem is to do the exercises recommended by your healthcare provider after an ankle injury. You may need to keep doing the exercises for a long time after an injury. You may need to wear a brace for some activities.

You can help prevent injuries to your ankle by doing warm-up exercises and stretching before your activities. If your ankle hurts after exercise, putting ice on it may help keep it from getting injured.

Follow safety rules and use any protective equipment recommended for your work or sport.