Chronic Ankle Instability & Internal Brace Reconstruction Centre
Repeated ankle sprains, giving-way ankle & InternalBrace™ reconstruction
If your ankle keeps twisting, gives way on uneven ground, or has never felt the same after an old sprain, you likely have chronic ankle instability. Dr. Narang is a Master Trainer in arthroscopic ankle ligament reconstruction and performs InternalBrace™ augmented Broström repair — a modern, minimally invasive procedure that gets patients back on their feet faster.
Understanding Ankle Instability Centre
Most people twist an ankle at some point — stepping off a kerb, going down stairs, playing kabaddi or football, or simply walking on uneven ground. Nine out of ten of these injuries heal completely with rest, bracing and physiotherapy. But in about 1 in 5 patients the outer ankle ligaments — mainly the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) — heal in a stretched-out position. From then on, the ankle keeps giving way. Patients tell us: 'I can't trust my ankle', 'it rolls even on flat floors', 'I've stopped playing my sport'.
This is Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI). Left alone, every repeat sprain damages the joint cartilage a little more, and by the time the patient is 40 the ankle is arthritic. That is why fixing chronic instability is not just about comfort — it is joint preservation.
The Chronic Ankle Instability & Internal Brace Reconstruction Centre is dedicated to this exact problem. Dr. Chandan Narang is a Master Trainer in ankle arthroscopy and ligament reconstruction, and one of the most experienced surgeons in India performing the InternalBrace™ augmented anatomic Broström repair. The technique places a strong tape-like internal stitch alongside the repaired ligament, protecting it while it heals and letting patients weight-bear early and return to sport with confidence.
Patients come to us from all across North India — Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, the whole of Punjab and Haryana, the hill states of Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir — often after being told for years that 'nothing can be done' about a repeatedly twisted ankle. Modern arthroscopic ligament reconstruction changes that answer.
Arthroscopic-first approach
Keyhole ligament repair with InternalBrace™ augmentation — smaller scars, earlier weight-bearing, faster return to sport.
Master-trainer-level expertise
Dr. Narang trains other surgeons in ankle ligament reconstruction across India.
Return-to-sport milestones
Structured rehabilitation with objective criteria — not just a calendar.
How patients describe it
Plain-language descriptions patients use — with the medical name in brackets.
When should I see a specialist?
- You have twisted the same ankle more than twice in the last 12 months
- An old sprain (any age) never fully recovered and still limits activity
- You cannot run, jog, hike or play sport because you don't trust the ankle
- The ankle swells or aches after long walks, standing or driving
- Clicking, catching or locking with pain deep inside the joint
- A previous ligament surgery has failed and the instability has returned
- You are a diabetic or older adult whose repeat sprains are damaging cartilage
Treatment options — from conservative to surgical
Every plan starts with the least invasive option that works for you.
Peroneal strengthening, wobble-board and single-leg balance training under a physiotherapist. Around 50% of patients with early instability improve significantly with 8–12 weeks of dedicated work.
A lace-up or semi-rigid brace during sport reduces re-sprain rates while a rehab programme takes effect, and is used long-term for recreational activity in mild cases.
Keyhole examination to look for cartilage damage (osteochondral lesions), synovitis and loose bodies. These are addressed at the same sitting as ligament repair.
The gold-standard modern surgery. The stretched ATFL (and often CFL) are repaired and reinforced with a tape-like FiberTape® anchored into the fibula and talus. Small scars, early weight-bearing, low re-injury rate.
For failed previous surgery or severely deficient ligaments, a portion of the peroneus longus (or an allograft) is used to rebuild the ligaments in an anatomic position.
The peroneal tendons often tear or sublux alongside chronic instability. Repairing them at the same time is essential to a stable, pain-free outcome.
Signature procedures
- Arthroscopic anatomic Broström repair
- InternalBrace™ ligament augmentation
- Peroneal tendon repair / groove deepening
- Arthroscopic treatment of talar osteochondral lesions
- Syndesmotic (high ankle) stabilisation
- Revision ligament reconstruction with tendon graft
Medical focus areas
What recovery looks like
A realistic timeline — every patient is different, but this is what most people experience.
- Week 0 · Day 1–14Below-knee splint or walking boot. Toe-touch weight-bearing with crutches for the first 2 weeks.
- Weeks 2–4 · Progressive weight-bearingWalking boot with graduated weight-bearing thanks to InternalBrace™. Physiotherapy begins.
- Weeks 4–8 · Out of the bootRegular shoe with a brace. Cycling and pool work start. Driving returns for right ankles.
- Weeks 8–16 · Sport-specific rehabRunning progression, agility drills, sport-specific ladders.
- Months 4–6 · Return to sportNon-contact sport at 4 months, contact/cutting sport typically at 5–6 months with objective return-to-sport criteria.
Can I book an online consultation?
Absolutely. Chronic ankle instability is one of the easiest problems to triage over a video call. Send us your history of sprains, any prior MRI or X-ray, and a short video of you walking, standing on one leg and hopping if you can. In a 20-minute paid video consultation Dr. Narang will confirm whether you have mechanical instability, whether an MRI is needed, and whether surgery is likely to be recommended.
Serving patients across North India
We treat patients across Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Ambala, Karnal, Rohtak, Kurukshetra, Shimla, Solan, Dharamshala, Jammu and Srinagar. Kabaddi, football, cricket and trekking injuries from Punjab and the hill states form a large part of our practice.
Related conditions we treat
Frequently asked questions
It adds a strong tape-like internal stitch that protects the repaired ligament while it heals — allowing earlier weight-bearing and confident return to sport with a low re-injury rate.
Not at all. Chronic ankle instability can be reconstructed even years after the original injury, and doing so protects the cartilage from progressive damage.
Non-contact sport typically at 4 months, contact and cutting sport at 5–6 months — provided you clear the return-to-sport tests. This is significantly faster than traditional Broström repair.
Yes. It is done through 2–3 small incisions with an arthroscope. Any cartilage damage inside the joint is treated at the same sitting.
Yes. This is one of the conditions best suited to a video consultation. Upload your MRI, describe your sprains, and Dr. Narang will confirm the diagnosis and plan.
No plaster. A removable walking boot for 4–6 weeks with progressive weight-bearing.
Revision reconstruction with a tendon graft is very successful when done anatomically. We do these regularly.
Ready to speak with Dr. Chandan Narang?
A 30-minute Expert Video Consultation from anywhere in India. Upload your X-ray or MRI in advance for a proper review.