MD Podiatrist Discusses How to Prevent Recurrent Ankle Sprains

According to Dan Michaels, DPM, “the most common type of ankle sprain is lateral. It occurs when the foot turns inward and the ankle rolls outward. However, an ankle sprain can also happen when the ankle joint rolls inward. People who have an ankle sprain are prone to repeated ankle sprains in the future. That’s why it’s important to get treatment so the ankle heals properly and to take measures to prevent another ankle sprain.”

“One or more ankle sprains can cause “wobbly ankles” if the swelling damages the nerves in the ankle. The nerves send signals to different muscles to stabilize the ankle when you change direction or stand on uneven ground. If you have this problem, you can support your ankle by bracing and taking extra precautions. You can also re-train the nerves and muscles through exercises. In addition to targeted exercises, wearing an ankle brace or athletic tape can help prevent ankle sprains when you play a sport or go for a hike. If your ankles frequently feel unstable, you may wish to wear a brace every day,” says Dr. Michaels.