Displaying items by tag: chronic ankle instability

Do you constantly feel like your ankle is going to “give out?” Does walking on uneven surfaces, in high heels or stepping off a curb frequently cause your ankle to turn? If so, you may be suffering from chronic ankle instability, a condition that we at Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center know many patients find very frustrating.

Causes of Wobbly Ankles

In nearly all cases, at the root of a weak ankle condition is a previous ankle injury or problem. Common sources include:

• One or more ankle sprains
• Scar tissue formation following a sprain
• Fracture in the ankle joint bones
• Arthritis or other inflammatory condition of the ankle joint, tendons or joint lining
• Nerve damage in the ankle area, such as stretching, tearing or pinching of the ankle nerves

Sometimes patients fail to complete the full course of rehabilitation for an ankle injury. Physical therapy and other treatments are geared toward healing the overstretched ankle ligaments and also strengthening the muscles that surround the ankle. When the pain stops, that’s when a patient stops therapy. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean the ankle is fully healed. Going back to normal activities can lead to another sprain because the ankle is still weak. The more injuries, the weaker the ankle becomes.

Breaking the Cycle

The first step is getting your ankles evaluated. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley or Dr. Constance Omelas will examine your ankles and feet. The foot doctor will also ask questions about previous injuries, your medical history and recent activities. Digital x-rays (which can be done right in our Long Beach office) and/or other imaging studies may also be ordered to help get a clear picture of the condition of the ankle bones and joints.

Depending on the cause and extent of the ankle damage, a treatment plan will be developed which may include:

• Anti-inflammatory or steroidal medications prescribed on a temporary basis to decrease swelling
• Ankle braces or supports
• Immobilizing the ankle area if there is a fracture that needs to heal
• Physical therapy to strengthen and improve range of motion for ankle muscles

If you have weak ankles, don’t wait to get treatment. Contact us today by calling (562) 420-9800.

At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center we treat many women with foot problems that could have been avoided by choosing different shoes. Today, there are many attractive shoe designs that do not harm your feet. Short-term fashion choices can lead to long term foot health problems. Below are 3 types of shoes to avoid:

1. High heels—shoes with high heels (2 inches or more) can cause a host of foot problems. First, the height of the heel can cause wobbling and instability which results in ankle sprains. High heels put extra strain on the muscles and ligaments of the ankle as they struggle to keep your foot in proper position. Continuing to wear high heels after a sprain is likely to set up a dangerous cycle of repeated sprains, increased weakness and eventually chronic ankle instability and pain. In addition, the design of high heels forces your toes forward, causing them to spend long hours cramped and squeezed. This increases the risk of bunions, hammertoes and other toe deformities.
2. Stiff backed pumps—shoes with an overly hard heel counter can lead to a condition commonly referred to as “pump bump.” Officially known as Haglund’s deformity, a hard, bony enlargement forms on the back of the heel. When the back of pump rubs against the growth it causes irritation and inflammation. In some cases the bursa sac surrounding the deformity can become inflamed causing bursitis.
3. Flip-flops—yes, these are comfortable and oh-so-easy to slip on and off but flip flops provide no support whatsoever for your feet. This increases the risk of your feet coming out of the shoe and getting cut or scraped and also the chances of twisting an ankle. The one exception to this is in gyms, public pools, spas and other places where covering your feet prevents contact with fungi and bacteria that can cause athlete’s foot, fungal toenail and

If a part of your foot, toe or ankle is causing you pain or you notice other symptoms such as bruising, swelling or redness, contact our Long Beach office for an appointment by calling: 562-420-9800. Our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria Foley and Dr. Constance Omelas will examine your feet and prescribe the correct treatment (in addition to changing your shoes) to relieve pain and prevent further injury.