Confirm your location

Confirm you location or select from a list of countries in order to get in touch with your local Ottobock market. We will make sure you´re redirected to your selected site in the future so you´ll always be in the right place.

Diagnoses and symptoms

Ligament instability in the ankle joint

The therapy for ligament instability in the foot and ankle joint depends on the cause and degree of severity. Phased treatment with an orthosis is indispensable for patients with a torn ligament.

Summary

Causes, symptoms and treatment

The ankle joint is comprised of the upper and lower ankle joint. Joints are made up of articular surfaces, articular cartilage, joint fluid, a joint capsule and ligaments.

The ankle joint complex includes various ligaments. They stabilise the joints in conjunction with muscles that encompass the joints. A corresponding stability of the ligaments is a prerequisite for proper joint mobility and stabilisation.

Congenital or acquired factors can cause ligament weakness (laxity). This commonly results in instability of the joints. Hyperextension of the ligaments or a torn ligament can even cause a complete loss of stability in a joint.

Ottobock supports and orthoses

A mother holds one child while holding hands with another as they stroll outside through a field. The mother is wearing the Ottobock's C-Brace.
Causes

Causes

The causes of instability, which primarily occurs in the upper ankle joint, can include a congenital or acquired ligament weakness with or without the involvement of other, stabilising structures (for example, the joint capsule, articular cartilage, menisci and muscular structures). Whether external force is involved or not, twisting the ankle can cause the ligaments in the ankle joint to stretch excessively or even to rupture. In general, instabilities in the ankle joint are defined by the number of affected ligament structures. The more ligaments are affected, the more unstable the ankle joint complex will be.

Symptoms

Symptoms

Initially, instability manifests itself in uncertainty while walking, which may be associated with pain and grinding noises when more weight is placed on the joint. Swelling and discolouration occurs in the affected area with acute instabilities, for example, due to a torn ligament. Over the long term, and especially if acute injuries are not properly treated, this is often followed by chronic instability or arthrosis, which is more rapid degeneration of the articular cartilage in the joint.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

When an instability in the ankle joint complex is confirmed by manual test procedures, such as the talar tilt test, diagnostic imaging procedures such as MRI, X-rays or ultrasound often follow.

Therapie

Therapie

There are acute and chronic instabilities of the ankle, which are treated differently in terms of their clinical care and care-ability. The therapy depends on the cause and the severity of the instability. It is usually done conservatively, i.e. without surgery. In conservative therapy, physiotherapy and stabilizing orthoses are at the forefront of treatment. In the case of instability due to a torn ligament, a phase-appropriate treatment with an orthosis along the healing phases is essential. Inadequate care often leads to chronic instability in the ankle complex.



Solutions

Ottobock orthoses and supports for ligament instability in the ankle joint

The illustrated products represent treatment examples. Many different factors determine whether a product is actually suitable for you and whether you are capable of taking full advantage of the functionality of the product. Key aspects include your physical condition, fitness and a detailed medical examination. Your doctor or O&P professional will also decide which treatment is best suited to you. We’re here to support you.