What You're Experiencing

Frequent ankle rolling, giving way during walking or sports, or a constant feeling of ankle instability.

When to seek help: This symptom should be assessed by a physiotherapist within the next 1-2 weeks to prevent it from worsening.

Likely Causes

This symptom is commonly caused by one or more of the following conditions. A physiotherapist can identify the exact cause through a thorough assessment.

1 Chronic ankle instability from previous sprains
2 Weak peroneal muscles
3 Poor proprioception
4 Ligament laxity

What a Physiotherapist Will Do

1. Assessment

Your physiotherapist will conduct a thorough examination including movement tests, palpation, and posture analysis to identify the root cause of your ankle gives way or feels unstable.

2. Diagnosis

Based on the assessment, they'll explain which of the likely causes applies to you and discuss the best treatment approach.

3. Treatment

Treatment typically combines hands-on therapy for immediate relief with targeted exercises to address the underlying cause. Most patients notice improvement within 2-4 sessions.

4. Home Programme

You'll receive specific exercises and advice to continue your recovery at home, helping you get better faster between sessions.

Related Conditions & Treatments

Learn more about the conditions and treatments related to this symptom:

condition Ankle Sprain → treatment Exercise Therapy → treatment Taping & Bracing →

Helpful Articles

Ankle Sprain Keeps Coming Back →Balance Training Fall Prevention →Runners Knee Why It Happens →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my ankle keep giving way?

After a sprain, ligaments heal but may remain loose. Without rehabilitation, the proprioceptive nerves in your ankle don't recover — so your brain can't detect when your ankle starts to roll. Balance and strengthening exercises retrain this sense and stabilise the joint.

Do I need ankle surgery for instability?

Most ankle instability responds well to physiotherapy alone. Surgery is only considered after 6+ months of dedicated rehabilitation has failed. A structured balance and strengthening programme is the first-line treatment.