When ligaments get stretched or torn, you can end up with a condition known as ligamentous laxity. Ligaments supporting joints are particularly susceptible to damage if you play sports or participate in other strenuous activities. Ankles are especially vulnerable, and repeated sprains often indicate serious ligament damage.
If you need an orthopedic surgeon, San Francisco-based Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht or Dr. Ephraim Dickinson at The Institute for Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine (IASM) in San Francisco, California, can evaluate your ankle and determine if ligamentous laxity is the cause of repeated strains and sprains. In most cases, arthroscopic surgery can resolve the issue and restore ankle stability.
Ligamentous laxity can happen after just one or two severe ankle sprains, or it might be the cumulative result of dozens of sprains over a long time period. If you roll your ankle frequently, you can get micro tears in the ligament.
With repeated injuries, your ankle ligament can stretch, making future sprains even more likely. This becomes a cycle of injuries causing instability of the ankle joint, which, in turn, leads to more injuries.
With one ankle often swollen, tender, and painful, you might find yourself off-balance and depending too much on your other side, which is a fast-track to injuring your healthy ankle. Getting proper assessment of your ankle after any sprain can ensure you get treatment to prevent ankle instability and stave off future injuries.
People who ski often sustain ankle injuries. Just a single sprain can cause a significant ligament tear, which, if not treated appropriately, can leave your ankle unstable and ripe for another injury on the slopes.
If you’ve had an ankle injury caused by skiing, a ski doctor in San Francisco, such as Dr. Halbrecht or Dr. Dickinson, can ascertain if the ligament is stretched and/or torn and recommend the right treatment to ensure you don’t end up with dangerous ankle instability.
Women who play sports that involve sudden starting, stopping, and turning at speed, such as soccer or volleyball, are also at high risk for ankle injuries. Repeated minor tears in the ligament are often ignored, and a player continues to put strain on the injured joint.
In most cases of ligamentous laxity in the ankle, arthroscopic surgery helps repair damage and restore your joint stability, strength, flexibility, and mobility. It’s important to find a sports medicine surgeon in San Francisco who specializes in treating these and other types of joint injuries.
If you have ankle pain and instability that might be caused by ligamentous laxity, schedule a consultation with Dr. Halbrecht or Dr. Dickinson today. To get in touch, call 415-233-7996, or book an appointment online.
