By Dominique Wood-Ward – Physiotherapist
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) can significantly impact daily life. Limiting the ability to walk, run and jump. This can be impactful on footwear choice as well as limiting in terms of physical activity and sport participation and terrain choice with walking and running.
CAI often occurs following recurrent ankle sprains particularly if the ankle was not immobilised or supported following a sprain. Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries making up 15-30% of musculoskeletal injuries. CAI is characterised by continued pain, instability and weakness greater than six months from the initial injury. Please see our blog on ankle sprains if you would like to know more about this type of injury.
CAI can have episodes of the ankle giving way, often comes with continued recurrent ankle sprains and can have ongoing pain, range limitation and impaired balance.
Diagnosis of chronic ankle instability can be made by a physiotherapist following an assessment of your ankle range, strength, control, ligament laxity and mechanics of walking, running, jumping, landing and direction changes.
Conservative treatment consists of strengthening, mobility, balance and motor control training. This management is tailored to your specific case based on the assessment findings along with your goals. Exercises including wobble board training and hip strengthening exercises are most helpful to improving ankle instability.
Get in touch with one of our experienced physiotherapists today if you are having ankle symptoms. They will perform an assessment and provide you with tailored advice, treatment and exercises to help you achieve your goals.
