Author: University of Utah Health Communications

Americans suffer approximately two million ankle sprains each year. While an overwhelming majority of patients recover quickly from these ligament injuries, a subset may suffer from recurring sprains.

What Are Chronic Ankle Sprains?

Chronic ankle sprains are sprains with lingering effects that might last several months or years, according to Devon Nixon, MD, an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon at University of Utah Health. Patients may continue to feel that the ankle is loose and may roll easily, whether while playing sports or just simply while walking. 

After a bad sprain or multiple sprains, you can develop chronic ankle instability, which affects the lateral or outer side of the ankle. Additionally, the inside (medial) ligaments may also become loose, as well as the ligaments that support the main bones of the leg (i.e., syndesmosis ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula). CAI is the leading cause of continuing ankle sprains. 

For those who experience continued ankle pain, Nixon suggests an MRI for a further look at the joint surface, surrounding tendons around the ankle, and the ankle ligaments. In some patients, a long-term history of repeated sprains may result in ankle arthritis.

Treatment of CAI and Chronic Sprains

Non-surgical treatment includes braces to provide stability and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation. Physical therapy may also help some patients, but Nixon says its success is less predictable with chronic instability than with acute sprains. Surgery is an option for many patients to repair or reconstruct damaged ligaments with good surgical outcomes.

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

For those who want to help prevent sprains, improving core strength, flexibility, and balance can help you react quickly when stumbling without putting pressure on the ankle. Strengthening ankles with exercises like standing heel raises, squats, squat jumps, and lunges can also help, as well as warming up thoroughly before any exercise.

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