calcaneofibular ligament (ankle) PLEASE HELP

[michaelc]

14 months ago a tackle sprained my ankle (force applied to the outside of the ankle from a kick). There was not a lot of swelling and I was told it would heal in 6 weeks.

Over a year has passed and I still get pain in that same spot. I have seen 3 physios. The last one told me that the ligament has probably stretched and is occasionally getting caught between the bones. He wants me to tape it before every game and training session. Tape has not really worked all that well for me, either because it comes loose or I am not taping it right.

Any advice? Surgical options?

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[physiobob]

Perhaps you can provide a bit more information as to what makes it painful, when, after how long, what eases the pain etc. This would assist us to guide you a little more.

[michaelc]

The pain will go away but kicking the ball in a certain fashion seems to bring it back. Curving the ball in particular seems to strain it. The pain occurs about one thumb width below the 'bony ankle thing' on the outside of my right foot.

I will get an initial sharp pain followed by a lingering dull pain afterwards which can last for a few days. The physio I saw thinks my right ankle ligament has been stretched and that my ankle is flopyy from a lifetime of playing the sport. I don't think he quite understands how frustrating the pain is. It stops me from playing as much as I would like.

Hope this helps.

[pudding_bowl]

There are surgical options available to you, they are best discussed with a sports physician or orthopaedic surgeon. You can ask your physiotherapist to advise you on the local person to see and your GP can likely refer you to see that person. However lets continue to try to treat conservatively for now...

Can you let us know what Therapies you have done? What kind of strengthening / Home program do you have?

[michaelc]

I do weight training such as squats and calf raises, plus running. I did some yoga for a while and did some anke stretches before every workout. The pain came back after a few weeks of playing again though. So all that stuff seemed to help but did not stop the pain reoccuring. I played last night without pain and used strapping tape. But the tape came loose after a while...

[pudding_bowl]

Are you doing any proprioreceptive work - balancing on 1 leg etc... I suspect you probably have in the past but I think you should bring them back and continue to strengthen your ankle very specifically on that side. With a lengthened ligament the propriorecption of your ankle will be impaired and you won't be able to control your ankle during athletic activities as you usually would.