Question
Dear Dr Gillman,
Over the course of my life I have laterally rolled my right ankle on numerous occasions.  Occasionally I have intense pain below and in front of the ankle bone. However the current issue is that for the last week I have not been able to set my right foot flat on the ground.  It does not hurt a lot, I just feel as though I am walking on the blade of the foot and cannot set the inner heel down.  It is awkward and makes me limp as I try to find my footing.  I have done a few yoga classes, bought insoles for arch support and nothing helps. In order to set my foot flat I have to turn my knee in and bend it significantly.  I am totally baffled and wondered if you might have insight.  Thank you so much for your help!

Tamara

Answer
Tamara,

You have what's called "functional instability" to the right ankle, meaning that it malfunctions, and in an instant becomes unstable, and as a result gives out and rolls - often with an accompanying sprain.  It may also be "mechanically unstable" from previous sprains, causing looseness to the ligaments, and thus the ankle becomes unstable in its mechanics.  Usually, mechanically unstable ankles become are functionally unstable, too.  Okay, now that you understand that, let's move to the next issue.  You have a malfunction to your ankle such that you cannot bend it smoothly into a position that is should be able to achieve.  This is not an uncommon phenominon and I am very familiar with it.   Go and find a sports chiropractor (www.acbsp.com) that is good at manually adjusting the ankle.  Odd are the talus bone is unable to tuck under your tibia (leg bone), or you have impingement at the side of your ankle bones.  If all goes well, you will have immediate resolve of the ankle dysfunction in one or two visits.  

Good luck!

Dr. G