Accessibility Tools

What is Ankle Instability?

Ankle instability is a chronic condition characterized by the recurrent slipping of the outer side of the ankle. Instability is generally noticed during movement of the ankle joint, but can also occur while standing.

What are the Symptoms of Ankle Instability?

The symptoms of ankle instability include the following:

  • The ankle feels unstable.
  • The ankle turns repeatedly while walking on uneven surfaces or during a sporting activity.
  • Pain, tenderness, and swelling are present in the ankle joint.

What are the Causes of Ankle Instability?

Ankle instability usually results from repeated ankle sprains. Inadequate healing of a sprained ligament or incomplete rehabilitation of the affected ligament can result in instability. Recurrent injury to the ligaments further weakens them and aggravates the instability, which predisposes to the development of additional ankle problems.

What is Ankle Instability Surgery?

Ankle instability surgery is performed to treat an unstable ankle and involves the repair, reinforcement, or reconstruction of a torn or stretched ligament.

There are two types of ankle instability surgeries:

  • Anatomic repair: This surgery involves shortening and tightening the stretched ligament.
  • Non-anatomic repair: This surgery uses a tendon as a graft to replace the damaged ligament.

What are the Indications for Ankle Instability Surgery?

Surgery is recommended when you have a high degree of ankle instability and have failed to respond to non-surgical treatments.

What is the Postoperative Care for Ankle Instability Surgery?

What are the Risks and Complications of Ankle Instability Surgery?

As with all surgical procedures, ankle instability surgery may be associated with certain complications including:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Damage to surrounding structures such as injury to adjacent nerves
  • Chronic pain
  • Recurrent instability of the ankle
  • Stiffness
  • Need for second surgery (rare)

Other Foot & Ankle Procedures

display none

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Logo
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Logo
  • American Foot and Ankle Society Logo
  • The Football Players Health Study Logo
  • Legends Community Logo
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Association Logo
  •  International Foot and Ankle Sports Consensus Logo
  • Massachusetts General Hospital Logo
  • Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Society Logo
  • Pat Tillman Foundation Logo
  • NFL Players Association Logo
  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Harvard University Logo
  • Sun Devil Club Logo
  • University of California, San Francisco Logo
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Logo

Locations & Directions

  • Banner Sports Medicine Scottsdale

    7400 N Dobson Rd., Suite 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85256

  • Banner Health Center plus at Arcadia

    4200 East Camelback Road, Suite 104, Phoenix, AZ 85018

  • Banner - University Orthopedic &
    Sports Medicine Institute

    755 East McDowell Road, Floor 2, Phoenix, AZ 85006

Location pic