Chronic Pain After Ankle Sprain

In brief

Chronic pain following an ankle sprain is disabling for the active patient and a diagnostic challenge for the physician. With a differential diagnosis in mind and the relative benefits of imaging procedures in hand, the primary care physician can expediently come to a definitive diagnosis in most instances. Incomplete rehabilitation is most often the cause of chronic pain following an ankle sprain. The differential diagnosis also includes lateral ankle instability, previously undetected trauma, impingement disorder, congenital abnormality, and tumor.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William A. Grana

Dr Grana is medical director of the Oklahoma Center for Athletes and clinical professor in the department of orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, both in Oklahoma City. He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and a member of the editorial board of THE PHYSICIAN AND SPORTSMEDICINE.