Chronic ankle and subtalar joint instability in the athlete.

Chronic ankle and subtalar joint (STJ) instability is a common clinical entity and the physician must be able to determine the exact pathologic condition for proper treatment. There are many diagnostic techniques that can be used to evaluate the ankle joint and STJ. These diagnostic techniques do not take the place of a proper patient history taking. Appropriate and aggressive rehabilitation should be attempted in all cases of chronic ankle and subtalar instability before electing surgical reconstruction.