ANKLE LAXITY

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Ankle Laxity Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• A sensation that an ankle is unstable occurs when it buckles when twisting or bending
• Recurrent pain
• Swelling

Diagnosis of Ankle Laxity

Your medical professional will evaluate your child and inquire about his or her symptoms, daily activities, and medical background.  Your child can undergo X-rays or other scans. For instance, your child could have a stress X-ray, in which case your doctor would extend your child’s ankle while the X-ray is being taken. Your doctor will check to see if the pressure from the stretching causes the bones to drift apart.

Beyond X-rays, other imaging techniques provide a more detailed view of the ankle. Computed tomography (CT) scans can offer cross-sectional images, helping to identify any structural issues with precision. Similarly, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be used to assess soft tissues, ligaments, and the overall condition of the ankle joint in greater detail. These advanced imaging methods ensure a comprehensive evaluation, particularly if your doctor needs a closer look at the intricate structures within the ankle.

Using a combination of these imaging techniques, your healthcare provider can accurately diagnose ankle laxity and determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your child.

Treatment

Your doctor will recommend ankle exercises that improve balance, strength, and range of motion. Often, exercises to strengthen the ankle need to be performed long after an injury has healed to help prevent re-injuring the ankle. Continuing these exercises is crucial for maintaining ankle stability and reducing the risk of future sprains.

To support your child’s ankle, he or she might have to wear a brace. In addition, your doctor could suggest surgery to repair the injured ligaments if the ankle remains loose and unstable. This will increase ankle stability and eliminate the sensation that the ankle is flimsy and about to give way.

Treating ankle laxity is crucial to avoid long-term damage. Without intervention, patients may repeatedly twist and injure their ankles, leading to additional permanent damage. This underscores the importance of addressing ankle instability early on.
If your child does not receive treatment, their ankle may continue to sprain and twist. Frequent twists can result in the ankle joint becoming permanently damaged. By ensuring proper treatment, you can prevent these recurring injuries and safeguard the long-term health of the ankle.

If your child does not receive treatment, your child’s ankle may continue to sprain and twist, potentially leading to permanent damage of the ankle joint. With self-care, the discomfort often goes away in a few weeks, although certain injuries may take several months or longer to recover. It’s crucial to adhere exactly to your doctor’s directions. By consistently following these exercise routines and medical advice, the chances of re-injury are significantly reduced, supporting long-term ankle health.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Treatment for ankle laxity may involve non-surgical or surgical approaches based on the severity of the condition. Non-surgical methods include physical therapy to strengthen the ankle and improve stability, using ankle braces or supports during activities, and rest followed by rehabilitation after an ankle sprain.

Physical Therapy Goals

Physical therapy aims to restore the ankle’s range of motion, strength, balance, and coordination. These elements are crucial for returning the ankle to its pre-injury state or even stronger, thereby decreasing the risk of future injuries.

Long-term Benefits

• Preventative Exercises: Engaging in exercises long after an injury has healed is essential to prevent re-injury. This ongoing commitment helps ensure that the ankle remains strong and resilient.
• Stability and Support: Using ankle braces or supports can provide additional stability during physical activities, complementing the efforts of physical therapy.

By focusing on these areas, physical therapy plays a vital role not only in rehabilitation but also in maintaining overall ankle health and preventing the recurrence of laxity-related issues.

Reduce swelling and ankle pain:

• Every three to four hours, for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time, place an ice pack, gel pack, or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel on the affected region.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers such acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Go over the label and follow the directions. Your child shouldn’t take these medications for more than 10 days unless your doctor advises you to.
• Ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are examples of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that may induce gastrointestinal bleeding and other issues. Additionally, with aging, these dangers rise.
• Acetaminophen may harm the liver or result in other issues. Children should not take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in a day unless their doctor advises it. Check any medications your child takes to see whether they also include acetaminophen to be sure your child does not take too much.
• When your child sits or lies down, keep his or her ankle up on a cushion.
• As instructed by your clinician, use an ankle brace.

Surgery

If one or more of the ligaments on the outside of your child’s ankle have become loose or strained, surgery may be necessary. It can lead to persistent discomfort, frequent ankle sprains, and an ankle that frequently gives way when your child walks or engages in other activities. Your child’s ankle ligaments may first become partially torn and stretched as a result of an ankle sprain. Also, the chances of your child spraining his or her ankle again increase as a result of the initial injury. If your child’s initial sprain was not correctly treated, this is more likely to occur. Your child’s ligaments may become even laxer from additional sprains. Latitudinally reconstructed ankle ligaments can be done in a variety of ways. Inquire about the specifics of the procedure from your orthopedic foot surgeon. The procedure might last up to two hours. What to anticipate is as follows:

• Your child will likely receive either a regional anesthetic to numb the affected limb or general anesthesia to put him or her to sleep throughout the treatment.
• Your child’s vital indicators, including heart rate and blood pressure, will be closely monitored during the procedure.
• Your surgeon will make an incision through the skin and muscle of your child’s ankle after cleansing the afflicted region.
• Your surgeon will make a little incision if your procedure is minimally invasive. To execute your procedure, the surgeon will insert tiny instruments and a camera into the incision.
• Your surgeon may remove the ATFL and CFL ankle ligaments from their attachment points on the fibula and shorten these straps.
• The Surgeon will then reattach these ligaments to the fibula using new small holes drilled into the bone.
• If necessary, the surgeon can perform other repairs.
• The skin and muscle layers around the ankle are surgically closed.

After Ankle Laxity Surgery

After your child’s procedure, someone will keep watch over your child for a while. Most likely, the surgeon will have immobilized your child’s ankle. Reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligament can occur as an outpatient operation. You and your child can thus return home that day. After the operation, your child will have some pain for a while, especially in the initial days. There will be pain after the procedure, and painkillers can reduce or eliminate the pain. Pay close attention to all directions on medication use and wound care. Keeping your child’s leg elevated may also help to lessen discomfort and swelling. For at least a few weeks, the child will probably need to wear crutches and avoid putting any weight on the injured ankle.

Recovery Timeline

• 3 Weeks Post-Surgery: Most patients can start full weight bearing. During this period, it’s crucial to follow your doctor’s guidance on gradually increasing activity levels.
• 3-4 Months Post-Surgery: Your child may be able to return to sports activities. This timeline can vary based on individual recovery rates and adherence to rehabilitation exercises.

Tell your surgeon if your child gets a high temperature, chills, or worsening ankle discomfort. After the operation, you will need to come back in around 10 days to have the sutures or staples removed. At this point, your surgeon may also change the splint for a boot or cast. Your doctor will probably switch out this cast with a detachable brace in a few weeks. The patient must use the brace for several months.

As your child recuperates, your doctor will offer you detailed advice on how to strengthen your child’s ankle and leg muscles. Physical therapy could be advantageous as well. This will increase the likelihood that the procedure will go well. The likelihood of experiencing issues depends on age, foot anatomy, and general health. Patients with questions, concerns, or worries should discuss them with their doctor. By integrating a structured recovery plan and ensuring diligent follow-up, your child can look forward to a successful recovery.

Conclusion of Ankle Laxity

Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists surgeons are rated and board-certified professionals in foot and ankle treatment. In addition, they have studied and trained in the treatment of foot and ankle conditions in children and adolescents.

Finally, the orthopedic doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, with offices in Dallas, Arlington, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX, treat children with basic to complicated foot and ankle disorders, including persistent ankle instability. Using the latest in surgery techniques, our surgeons treat Ankle Laxity and persistent ankle instability patients on a routine basis with outcomes that allow the kids to enjoy being kids again.

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Footnote:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Chronic Ankle Laxity