Ankle weakness (The Sunday Times, 14th October 2007)

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Q. I strained my ankle six months ago playing tennis and saw a physiotherapist for treatment. However, it still feels uncomfortable and recently I have twice rolled over on my ankles and feel rather unsteady in shoes. Can you suggest any further treatment?



A.Instability of the ankles can be the result of a number of causes, including the inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative conditions such as the wear and tear associated with osteoarthritis, mechanical instability of the lower limb joints, or sprains, either as a one off trauma, or as a result of the above mentioned factors. However, sports injuries do seem to be one of the main reasons, with the ankle being particularly vulnerable to injury, owing to its complicated anatomy and athletes’ excessive ranges of rapid movement. Massage Ruta Ointment (www.weleda.co.uk £4.30 for 25g made with biodynamic ruta graveolens), as this is indicated for the relief of sprains and is particularly helpful where tendons and ligaments are affected or if pain is due to excessive physical activity. Try to rest the affected ankle as much as possible in the acute phase and then begin rehabilitation with regular stretching and strengthening exercises and ensure that you warm up before playing and stretch out the relevant muscle groups after you stop. I recommend you see a qualified podiatrist to assess your posture and the need for orthotic control ; visit www.feetforlife.org, the official website for The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, to find a qualified practitioner in your area. I have poor ankle stability but have found MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology - www.swissmasai.co.uk) to give me greater stability than even a flat shoe. By providing an uneven walking surface, they challenge muscles in the ankle and foot area to work harder.

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