Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is repeated giving out of the ankle. CAI can be both functionally unstable and mechanically unstable. Functionally unstable is the feeling of the ankle giving out. A mechanically unstable ankle is when the ankle feels loose due to the ligament not healing or healing in a stretched position. Signs and Symptoms
on-going ankle pain pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising at the site of injury feeling of ankle giving out or being loose not able to run, cut or jump at full speed
Increased Risk
repeated injuries to the foot or ankle being born with joint looseness poor warm-up before practice or play high risk sports (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics) poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) returning to sports too soon after injury activity where the foot may land sideways while running, walking or jumping
Treatment
Medicine
Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used or a topical cream.
Use of cold and heat
Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
Orthopedic aids
A brace, walking boot or compressive elastic bandage may be recommended to provide stability to the ankle. Crutches may be needed in the beginning until you can walk without pain.
Rehab
Rehab may be needed to regain motion & strength, and to retrain balance skills to prevent future injury. Your health care provider may refer you to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for more treatment.
How to Prevent
Finish all rehab after initial injury and balance training activities. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use protective taping, strapping, braces or high-top tennis shoes. Maintain suitable conditioning, ankle and leg flexibility, muscle strength and endurance. Provide ankle support for at least 12 months following injury.
When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:
symptoms get worse or do not improve despite treatment you experience locking or catching in the ankle you feel pain, numbness or cold in the foot new, unexplained symptoms develop
Sports Medicine Chronic Ankle Instability (PDF) HH-I-513 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is repeated giving out of the ankle. CAI can be both functionally unstable and mechanically unstable. Functionally unstable is the feeling of the ankle giving out. A mechanically unstable ankle is when the ankle feels loose due to the ligament not healing or healing in a stretched position. Signs and Symptoms
on-going ankle pain pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising at the site of injury feeling of ankle giving out or being loose not able to run, cut or jump at full speed
Increased Risk
repeated injuries to the foot or ankle being born with joint looseness poor warm-up before practice or play high risk sports (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics) poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) returning to sports too soon after injury activity where the foot may land sideways while running, walking or jumping
Treatment
Medicine
Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used or a topical cream.
Use of cold and heat
Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
Orthopedic aids
A brace, walking boot or compressive elastic bandage may be recommended to provide stability to the ankle. Crutches may be needed in the beginning until you can walk without pain.
Rehab
Rehab may be needed to regain motion & strength, and to retrain balance skills to prevent future injury. Your health care provider may refer you to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for more treatment.
How to Prevent
Finish all rehab after initial injury and balance training activities. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use protective taping, strapping, braces or high-top tennis shoes. Maintain suitable conditioning, ankle and leg flexibility, muscle strength and endurance. Provide ankle support for at least 12 months following injury.
When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:
symptoms get worse or do not improve despite treatment you experience locking or catching in the ankle you feel pain, numbness or cold in the foot new, unexplained symptoms develop
Sports Medicine Chronic Ankle Instability (PDF) HH-I-513 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is repeated giving out of the ankle. CAI can be both functionally unstable and mechanically unstable. Functionally unstable is the feeling of the ankle giving out. A mechanically unstable ankle is when the ankle feels loose due to the ligament not healing or healing in a stretched position. Signs and Symptoms
on-going ankle pain pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising at the site of injury feeling of ankle giving out or being loose not able to run, cut or jump at full speed
Increased Risk
repeated injuries to the foot or ankle being born with joint looseness poor warm-up before practice or play high risk sports (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics) poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) returning to sports too soon after injury activity where the foot may land sideways while running, walking or jumping
Treatment
Medicine
Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used or a topical cream.
Use of cold and heat
Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
Orthopedic aids
A brace, walking boot or compressive elastic bandage may be recommended to provide stability to the ankle. Crutches may be needed in the beginning until you can walk without pain.
Rehab
Rehab may be needed to regain motion & strength, and to retrain balance skills to prevent future injury. Your health care provider may refer you to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for more treatment.
How to Prevent
Finish all rehab after initial injury and balance training activities. Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Use protective taping, strapping, braces or high-top tennis shoes. Maintain suitable conditioning, ankle and leg flexibility, muscle strength and endurance. Provide ankle support for at least 12 months following injury.
When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:
symptoms get worse or do not improve despite treatment you experience locking or catching in the ankle you feel pain, numbness or cold in the foot new, unexplained symptoms develop
Sports Medicine Chronic Ankle Instability (PDF) HH-I-513 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is repeated giving out of the ankle. CAI can be both functionally unstable and mechanically unstable. Functionally unstable is the feeling of the ankle giving out. A mechanically unstable ankle is when the ankle feels loose due to the ligament not healing or healing in a stretched position.
Signs and Symptoms
- on-going ankle pain
- pain, tenderness, swelling and bruising at the site of injury
- feeling of ankle giving out or being loose
- not able to run, cut or jump at full speed
Increased Risk
- repeated injuries to the foot or ankle
- being born with joint looseness
- poor warm-up before practice or play
- high risk sports (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics)
- poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)
- returning to sports too soon after injury
- activity where the foot may land sideways while running, walking or jumping
Treatment
- Medicine
- Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
- Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used or a topical cream.
- Use of cold and heat
- Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
- Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Orthopedic aids
- A brace, walking boot or compressive elastic bandage may be recommended to provide stability to the ankle.
- Crutches may be needed in the beginning until you can walk without pain.
- Rehab
- Rehab may be needed to regain motion & strength, and to retrain balance skills to prevent future injury. Your health care provider may refer you to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for more treatment.
How to Prevent
- Finish all rehab after initial injury and balance training activities.
- Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.
- Use protective taping, strapping, braces or high-top tennis shoes.
- Maintain suitable conditioning, ankle and leg flexibility, muscle strength and endurance.
- Provide ankle support for at least 12 months following injury.
When to Call the Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:
Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used or a topical cream.
Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
Heat may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
A brace, walking boot or compressive elastic bandage may be recommended to provide stability to the ankle.
Crutches may be needed in the beginning until you can walk without pain.
Rehab may be needed to regain motion & strength, and to retrain balance skills to prevent future injury. Your health care provider may refer you to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for more treatment.
symptoms get worse or do not improve despite treatment
you experience locking or catching in the ankle
you feel pain, numbness or cold in the foot
new, unexplained symptoms develop
Sports Medicine Chronic Ankle Instability (PDF)
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online
Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online
