Weak Left Ankle Issue

I've been diagnosed with os trigonum problem in my left ankle. Did PT, saw a doctor, got an injection, and was going to get it removed. It is an added bone that can cause inflammation in the ankle, usually brought on by an ankle sprain.

I was shooting low 80s back in 2012, just 2 years into golf with lessons before this ankle sprain. After, I started shooting in the 90s - 100s and couldn't figure out why. I got a new instructor who's been great. This year after I finished my PT and strengthened my ankle, made a few changes, I noticed at the beginning of the summer I was striking the ball the best I have in a long time if not ever.

The injection was working, the PT strengthened my ankle, I stopped going.

Now it's been 3-4 months and my game is regressing again. The past 2 months I've been hitting the range hard and couldn't figure out why my game has gone to s***.

Well today, I tried just rotating without a club and holding my finish and noticed I couldn't hold it without falling over. I did it on the other ankle (like a lefty) and had no problems.

So my ankle muscles have regressed and the inflammation has started to come back. I think my root issue is I'm having trouble getting to my left side and make compensations in my swing and it gets a lot worse the more range time I get.

I'm wondering if I should stop with range time for a while and focus on just strengthening those muscles again until I see the doctor again. Do you think it's ok to just chip/putt? Also maybe just playing 9 holes a week is ok since I'm not doing nearly as many reps and can get to my left side without too much strain?

Has anyone had any experience similar to this before? If I go through with surgery and they remove the bone, will that add stability to my ankle again --- or will I always have these problems? I just don't think my body knows how to walk on it correctly to utilize those muscles and hasn't for years.

I feel your pain and have been in a very similar situation. I completely ruptured the peroneal tendon in my left ankle about 10 years ago and underwent surgery to repair the tendon. My ankle has healed, but I'm left with some mobility issues, pain and weakness. The most significant issue impacting my golf game is my reluctance to finish the swing and put pressure on my left side/foot. My doctor has tried to assure me I won't do more damage but psychologically it has played havoc with my swing. For the first four years or so I wore a brace but it takes time to remove the thought from your mind.

I know nothing about your ankle problem. However, my neck went south over a 4-5 year period, and I absolutely made unconscious swing compensations. If you have this bone removed, do the rehab, you will strengthen whatever has gotten weak. Whatever you do, good luck.

[quote name='that0neguy' timestamp='1437056001' post='11959406']
The injection was working, the PT strengthened my ankle, I stopped going.
...

Well today, I tried just rotating without a club and holding my finish and noticed I couldn't hold it without falling over. I did it on the other ankle (like a lefty) and had no problems.

So my ankle muscles have regressed and the inflammation has started to come back.

...

I'm wondering if I should stop with range time for a while and focus on just strengthening those muscles again until I see the doctor again. Do you think it's ok to just chip/putt? Also maybe just playing 9 holes a week is ok since I'm not doing nearly as many reps and can get to my left side without too much strain?


Has anyone had any experience similar to this before? If I go through with surgery and they remove the bone, will that add stability to my ankle again --- or will I always have these problems? I just don't think my body knows how to walk on it correctly to utilize those muscles and hasn't for years.
[/quote]

Good idea to come to this forum for medical advice instead of going back to your doctor. I've never got bad advice on the internet.

Hi that0neguy. It sounds to me like the muscles controlling your ankle stability may be starting to shut down trying to protect themselves from the inflammation. I would recommend taking a brief (week or so) break and see if the inflammation decreases. If it does, slowly begin to reintegrate some ankle strengthening exercises. While it's difficult to say without ever examining you, I believe you can manage this condition without surgery since you previously were able to for a few months. It's just very important to stay consistent with your exercises.

Jim (PT student)

Ankle compression sleeves can reduce your ankle pressure and reduce swelling. After a sprained ankle, stability is greatly reduced, and even after recovery, the ankle is often sprained. At the same time, strengthen ankle exercises and rest at appropriate times.