Ankle instability and ankle sprains

  The movement of the ankle joint is an entire system, with movement occurring in an upward and downward plane that we call dorsiflexion plantarflexion. The talus is stable in the ankle joint as if it were placed in a box, with the medial ankle on one side and the fibula on the other.  The inward and outward movement of the foot does not actually occur in the ankle joint but in the subtalar joint below. The muscles that make the foot turn inward are slightly stronger than the muscles that make the foot turn outward, and when the foot lands in an improper position, the inward rotation of the heel causes tension in the lateral ligaments, and when the tension exceeds a certain level, a sprain occurs in the ankle joint. Tearing occurs when the ligament is pulled up beyond the critical point of its elastic strength. The extent of ankle sprains can range from minimal to complete ligament tears all the way to ankle laxity.  Acute ankle sprains often present with swelling and bruising of the outer ankle, and some types of sprains require ankle rest with braking. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the inflammatory reaction and swelling after the injury, but not to heal the ligament, because the healing of the ligament needs to be fixed in a cast, and a brace can be used for milder sprains.  Subsequently, functional exercises are important to restore ankle balance, the lateral peroneal tendon is stronger and the whole process should be supervised from the beginning, if the ligament is severely torn, the functional stability of the ankle and the prevention of further sprains depends on the strength of the peroneal tendon. As the peroneal tendon becomes weaker, the ankle becomes more susceptible to sprains, and patients with high arched feet are naturally more prone to ankle sprains.  The normal function of the foot becomes increasingly limited due to constant rotation, twisting and instability of the ankle joint. If the ability to judge the contact between the bottom of the foot and the ground, called proprioception, continues to diminish, the chances of ankle sprains increase, a phenomenon we call the chronic cycle of ankle instability, with the risk of other problems, including wear of the cartilage surface of the talus and bone spurs on the anterolateral aspect of the ankle, all of which can lead to arthritis.  Once diagnosed, early treatment should be provided, and a special preoperative strengthening approach will be more helpful.  Fortunately, surgical revision has been used in the treatment of chronic ankle ligament laxity. There are many methods of stabilizing the ankle joint, some relying on repairing the ligament to tighten it; others using autologous or allograft ligaments to tighten the entire ankle joint, and these procedures have been successful in allowing patients to return to fracture sports activities without the risk of re-strain.