Ankle · Ligaments · Instability · Vienna
The sprained ankle is one of the most common injuries of all – and one of the most underestimated. The good news: a fresh ligament tear usually heals without surgery. The important part: an ankle that keeps giving way afterwards should not be ignored, because chronic instability damages the joint over time. Conservative wherever possible, arthroscopic where necessary.
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Rolling the ankle – on the sports field, a kerb, a staircase – most often injures the outer (lateral) ligaments. The reassuring part: a fresh lateral ligament tear usually heals very well with functional treatment – an orthosis that protects the joint while you keep moving, plus physiotherapy. An operation is rarely needed.
What matters is a correct diagnosis at the start: how many ligaments are affected, is there a bony injury, is the cartilage intact? That decides the treatment – and prevents the sprain that "never quite healed".
Repeated giving way – the ankle rolls again and again, even on flat ground
Persistent pain or swelling weeks after a sprain
A feeling of insecurity on uneven ground or stairs
Catching or blocking – possible signs of cartilage damage or loose bodies
Conservative wherever possible, arthroscopic where necessary – and honest about which is which:
Orthosis, early controlled movement and physiotherapy – the proven path for the fresh ligament tear. No cast for weeks, no unnecessary surgery.
If the ankle keeps giving way: consistent stabilisation and coordination training for at least three months – it restores the joint's reflexes and, for many patients, solves the problem for good.
For cartilage damage, loose bodies or impingement, an ankle arthroscopy inspects and treats the joint through small incisions in one procedure. If instability persists despite training, a ligament reconstruction rebuilds the torn ligaments and gives the joint its hold back – important also to prevent later cartilage damage and arthritis.
After an arthroscopy many patients are well loadable again after 2–6 weeks; office work is usually possible after 1–2 weeks, physical jobs after 4–6 weeks.
After a ligament reconstruction an orthosis protects the joint for about 6 weeks, and sport usually returns after 3–4 months. We discuss the realistic timeline for your job and your sport before any operation.
Why patients with ankle problems come to me
Not necessarily – but repeated giving way is a warning sign of chronic ligament instability, which can damage the joint over time (cartilage damage, later arthritis). First choice is consistent stability and balance training for at least three months. If the ankle still keeps giving way, a ligament reconstruction can restore stability permanently.
In the vast majority of cases, no. A fresh lateral ligament tear usually heals very well with functional treatment – an orthosis plus physiotherapy – without an operation. Surgery only becomes a topic if chronic instability with repeated giving way remains despite consistent treatment.
First, targeted stability and coordination training. If the instability persists, a ligament reconstruction can rebuild the torn ligaments and give the joint its hold back – important also to prevent secondary cartilage damage.
For cartilage damage, loose bodies, impingement (painful soft-tissue or bony narrowing) or unclear symptoms after injuries. Through small incisions the joint is inspected and treated in the same procedure.
After an arthroscopy many patients are well loadable again after 2–6 weeks. After a ligament reconstruction an orthosis protects the joint for about 6 weeks; sport is usually possible again after 3–4 months.
After an arthroscopy: office work usually 1–2 weeks, physical jobs 4–6 weeks. After a ligament reconstruction longer, as the orthosis protects the joint for about 6 weeks. We discuss the realistic duration for your job before the operation.
At Vienna's private hospitals surgery dates are usually available within 1–2 weeks. With supplementary (Sonderklasse) insurance, billing is handled directly with the insurer – no upfront payment.
Don't let a sprain become the ankle that never healed – get it looked at properly. In English, without pressure.
1040 Vienna: +43 1 585 62 60 · 1020 Vienna: +43 1 890 45 20
By prior appointment only · 1040 Vienna-Wieden (Große Neugasse 28/2) · 1020 Vienna-Leopoldstadt (Vorgartenstrasse 206c)