Ankle sprain is a very common injury and most people can get better after 2-6 weeks of post-injury treatment with ice, elevation, braking and compression bandaging. We call this “chronic lateral ankle instability”. What causes ankle sprains to remain unresolved? Reasons why ankle sprains become chronic 1. Serious ligament damage is often heard in the ankle joint at the time of injury, and the swelling of the anterolateral side is very obvious, which suggests the possibility of rupture of the ankle ligament. The ligament that is usually ruptured is the anterior talofibular ligament. 2. In the case of a ruptured ligament, the ligament has not undergone regular treatment (e.g., cast or brace immobilization), and although it is possible to walk after a period of time, the ligament has not healed, thus leaving behind symptoms of discomfort or frequent twisting of the foot. When to seek medical help When one of the following situations occurs, you need to seek medical help in hospital. 1. Pain, swelling and other uncomfortable symptoms remain for more than 3 months after the ankle sprain, or the foot is frequently twisted even when walking on a flat road. 2.Symptoms of ankle pain and swelling after walking long distances. 3.When walking, there is a “flash” or “limp leg” situation. 4.When going down the stairs, you need to be careful, you are afraid of twisting your ankle, or you feel difficult to control your ankle. 5.It is difficult to change direction in the movement. 6.Women cannot wear high heels. What the doctor will do When a patient with a chronic ankle sprain goes to the hospital and finds a specialist, the doctor will ask questions about the injury and the current symptoms. If the examination determines that there is a problem with the ligament, the doctor will request further ultrasound (economical and quick, but not sensitive to combined injuries) or MRI (more expensive and requires a wait, but sensitive to the detection of combined injuries, which facilitates the doctor’s judgment and treatment plan). What are the consequences if left untreated? Outpatients often ask what will happen if left untreated. Chronic lateral ankle instability occurs because the ankle joint has to withstand several times the force of the body during daily activities, and due to the instability it is easy to impingement and over time traumatic inflammation of the ankle joint will occur, the typical symptom is both pain in the ankle joint area, which usually occurs in about six months, and if the symptoms persist, eventually ankle fusion or ankle replacement surgery is required. However, if we detect and treat chronic lateral ankle instability early, the prognosis is generally good.