In this article, hand surgeons from the Philadelphia Hand Center at Jefferson University (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) review injuries that cause forearm instability. They present normal anatomy and biomechanics of the forearm affected by these injuries and discuss treatment for forearm instability.

Once you've sprained an ankle, there's a good chance you'll sprain it again. And each time the ankle is injured, the more likely it is that you'll develop chronic ankle sprains. The orthopedic term for this condition is functional ankle instability (FAI). People with FAI report episodes where the foot and ankle just collapse, give way, or roll under them.

Once you've sprained an ankle, there's a good chance you'll sprain it again. And each time the ankle is injured, the more likely it is that you'll develop chronic ankle sprains. The orthopedic term for this condition is functional ankle instability (FAI). People with FAI report episodes where the foot and ankle just collapse, give way, or roll under them.

In this review article on ankle sprains, three doctors of osteopathy (musculoskeletal medicine) look at the normal and abnormal ankle anatomy that might contribute to chronic lateral ankle pain. Lateral refers to the outside of the ankle (away from the other leg). The main focus of this review is the peroneal tendon.

Anyone who has sprained his or her ankle even once is at risk for a second or even third sprain of the same ankle. This is especially true when there's been no treatment to restore the damaged ankle to normal. Chronic ankle sprains can lead to ankle instability. Unexpected and sudden ankle rolling is a sign of ankle instability.

Acute injuries with pain, swelling, and bruising are still treated conservatively with R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). Acute refers to the first few days up to the first week. You can assess this by looking at the amount of tissue swelling (if any) is present after the first few days.

With any surgical procedure, there's always a risk of infection, delayed wound healing, or blood clots. In the case of orthopedic surgery, patients have the additional risk of potential complications during or following each specific operation. With severe ankle fractures, there's the added risk of malunion (fracture heals in poor alignment), nonunion (fracture doesn't heal at all), or the need for revision surgery.

Orthopedic surgery of any kind affecting the lower extremity carries with it the risk of a blood clot called deep venous thrombosis (DVT). An even greater concern is if that clot breaks off and travels to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). It could also go to the brain, which is called a cerebral venous thrombosis.

It's the job of every physician to assess patients for risk factors that predict future outcomes. Doing so helps doctors guide patients in the direction of reducing those risks and preventing future problems. In the case of the orthopedic surgeon, patients undergoing surgery have the additional risk of potential complications during or following the procedure. Once again, awareness of risk factors is important in assuring a successful operation and positive long-term results.

Years ago, surgeons asked the question: joint replacement has worked for the hip, knee, shoulder, and hand -- why not for the ankle? It could spare ankle motion and would certainly be better than a fusion with no motion. But early attempts failed. The ankle is just so much more complex in its biomechanical design than even the shoulder.