Chronic Ankle Instability -- any others out there?

abeechu

I searched through a few months' worth of forum topics but didn't see anything specific to this, so I'm really hoping for some input! Anything helps, so please don't be shy

I recently (and finally!) went to see a foot/ankle orthopedic specialist because I re-aggravated a 10yo ankle problem -- it happened in early April and I am still unstable from that. I have majorly sprained it 3 times in the past 10 years (needing at least 4-6 weeks before recovery, crutches/casts and all), and there have been plenty of small sprains in between. My ankle is continually rolling out, even when I walk on flat surfaces, but I've always attributed that to being a klutz. The doctor told me that I, like many others, suffer from chronic ankle instability due to a very VERY stretched out ATFL. He gave me 2 options: PT for 6-12 weeks, or ligament tightening surgery+PT (NWB for at least 2-6 weeks).

Some more background-- I'm (-caution: humble brag-) very well-built in my legs due to years of basketball training (which caused the first major injury) and genetics. Well-built enough so that the doctor is concerned PT alone may not do anything because the muscles PT would strengthen are already strong. However, my concern is that the surgery seems to be unnecessary considering I don't have a torn ATFL, so it seems almost preventative rather than reactive.

My question is: has anyone here gone through something similar? What did you end up doing (PT, surgery, both)? How effective was PT?

Thanks in advance!