Why Does My Ankle Still Feel Unstable After a Sprain?
Why Does My Ankle Still Feel Unstable After a Sprain? A Physical Therapist Answers
By Nova Physical Therapy | North Hollywood, CA
Learn more about Nova Physical Therapy services in North Hollywood.
You sprained your ankle months ago.
The swelling went down.
You can walk again.
Maybe the ankle doesn't even hurt very much anymore.
But something still feels wrong.
You step off a curb and the ankle suddenly feels unreliable.
You walk across uneven ground and become cautious.
You try to run, hike, play basketball, pickleball, soccer, or return to the gym—and the ankle feels like it might roll again.
You may describe it as:
“My ankle keeps giving out.”
“It feels weak even though the pain is mostly gone.”
“I keep rolling the same ankle.”
“I don't trust it on uneven ground.”
“My balance hasn't been the same since I sprained it.”
“Why isn't my ankle normal if the sprain already healed?”
This pattern can occur after a lateral ankle sprain and, in some people, may be associated with persistent ankle instability.
The current APTA/JOSPT clinical practice guideline describes chronic ankle instability as involving ongoing perceived instability or episodes of the ankle “giving way,” recurrent sprains, and associated activity limitations after an ankle sprain. DOI
But an important distinction comes first:
An ankle that feels unstable does not automatically establish chronic ankle instability—or prove that the ligaments are permanently loose.
Persistent symptoms can involve different combinations of mobility, strength, balance, sensorimotor function, mechanical stability, confidence, previous injury, and activity demands.
The physical therapy evaluation helps determine what appears relevant for the individual.
Patient Question
“I sprained my ankle months ago. The pain and swelling improved, but the ankle still feels weak or unstable, especially on uneven ground, when exercising, or when I get tired. Why does this happen, and can physical therapy help?”
The Short Answer
An ankle sprain can improve enough for someone to resume walking while certain deficits remain.
Depending on the individual, these may involve:
balance
ankle muscle performance
range of motion
dynamic postural control
sensorimotor function
confidence in the ankle
or
ability to tolerate demanding activities.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline recommends that clinicians evaluating chronic ankle instability assess not only the ankle but also functional movement and sensorimotor performance. It specifically recommends measures such as ankle dorsiflexion, single-leg balance, dynamic balance, and appropriate functional performance testing. DOI
For rehabilitation, the guideline strongly supports proprioceptive and neuromuscular therapeutic exercise to improve dynamic postural stability and perceived stability during function. DOI
And newer research continues to support the importance of this issue.
A 2026 systematic review found measurable sensorimotor and postural-control differences in people with chronic ankle instability, particularly when visual information was restricted. PubMed
So the problem may be more complicated than simply:
“My ankle muscles are weak.”
Why Can My Ankle Still Feel Unstable After the Pain Is Gone?
Pain and function do not always recover at exactly the same rate.
Imagine an ankle sprain initially causes:
pain
swelling
difficulty walking
and
reduced movement.
Several weeks later, the pain may be substantially better.
But returning to:
single-leg balance
running
jumping
cutting
hiking
or
uneven terrain
places much greater demands on the ankle than ordinary level walking.
So a patient may reasonably say:
“I can walk through the grocery store, but I don't trust my ankle on a trail.”
Those two activities test very different capacities.
The absence of substantial pain therefore does not automatically mean every component of ankle function has returned.
What Does “My Ankle Gives Out” Actually Mean?
Patients use the phrase “giving out” in different ways.
One person means:
“The ankle suddenly rolls outward.”
Another means:
“I lose my balance for a second.”
Another:
“I feel like it's going to roll, so I immediately shift my weight.”
Another:
“It feels weak when I land.”
And another:
“The ankle actually collapses underneath me.”
These descriptions matter.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline describes chronic ankle instability as potentially involving perceived instability, recurrent sprains, or episodes of “giving way.” DOI
But the therapist still needs to determine what the patient means and what the examination shows.
Does an Unstable Ankle Mean My Ligaments Never Healed?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding ankle sprains.
Ankle instability can involve different components.
Some people may have mechanical instability related to ligamentous structures.
Others may have more prominent functional or sensorimotor deficits.
Some may have elements of both.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline specifically recognizes this distinction and notes that chronic ankle instability may involve varying amounts of mechanical and functional instability. DOI
So:
feeling unstable does not automatically tell us how loose a ligament is.
Clinical examination is needed.
Why Do I Keep Spraining the Same Ankle?
A history of previous ankle sprain is an important consideration when assessing future ankle problems.
After an initial injury, some people develop persistent impairments or recurrent episodes.
This is one reason rehabilitation after an ankle sprain should not necessarily end when:
the swelling disappears
or
walking stops hurting.
The current guideline recommends proprioceptive and balance-focused therapeutic exercise after an initial ankle sprain as part of reducing the risk of subsequent injury. DOI
That doesn't mean exercise can guarantee that another sprain will never happen.
It means recurrence prevention should be part of the rehabilitation conversation.
Why Is My Balance Worse After an Ankle Sprain?
Balance is not simply:
“having strong ankles.”
Your nervous system continuously integrates information from:
vision
the vestibular system
and
somatosensory information from your body and the surface beneath you.
The muscles then help produce the necessary movement response.
A September–October 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis examined 43 studies involving people with chronic ankle instability.
Researchers found differences in static and dynamic postural control when visual information was constrained and evidence suggesting altered sensory reweighting in people with chronic ankle instability. PubMed
That helps explain why rehabilitation may involve much more than:
“Do some ankle strengthening.”
Why Does My Ankle Feel Worse on Uneven Ground?
Flat pavement is predictable.
A hiking trail is not.
Uneven ground may require rapid adjustments in:
foot position
ankle control
balance
muscle activation
and
whole-body stability.
Someone may therefore function well on:
a treadmill
but feel much less confident on:
grass
sand
a trail
or
uneven pavement.
That does not automatically mean the ankle is damaged each time it feels unstable.
It may indicate that the task currently exceeds the person's comfortable sensorimotor or functional capacity.
Why Does My Ankle Feel Unstable When I Get Tired?
This is particularly relevant to newer research.
You may feel fine during:
the first quarter of a basketball game
the first mile of a run
or
the first part of a hike.
Then the ankle becomes less reliable as fatigue develops.
A September 2026 systematic review evaluated the effect of fatigue on balance in athletes with chronic ankle instability.
Nine studies were included.
The review found that most included studies demonstrated worsening static or dynamic balance control after fatigue protocols, although not every study found the same effect. PubMed
This gives rehabilitation an important functional question:
Can your ankle perform when you're fresh—and can it still perform when you're tired?
For an athlete, those may be very different standards.
Why Does My Ankle Feel Weak?
Weakness may be part of the presentation.
But the word “weak” can mean several things.
A patient may actually have reduced force production.
Or they may mean:
“I don't trust it.”
“It shakes.”
“I lose balance.”
“It hurts when I push off.”
“It doesn't react quickly.”
or
“I can't hop on it like the other side.”
Those are not identical problems.
A physical therapist may therefore assess ankle muscle performance as well as:
balance
mobility
functional movement
and
sport-specific tasks.
Do the Muscles on the Outside of My Ankle Matter?
The fibularis—or peroneal—muscles contribute to ankle and foot function.
A September 2026 study examined peroneal muscle size and quality following impairment-based rehabilitation in people with chronic ankle instability, reflecting the continuing research interest in how ankle muscle characteristics relate to rehabilitation. PubMed
But treatment should not be reduced to:
“Strengthen the peroneals and you're fixed.”
Ankle instability can involve multiple systems.
A comprehensive program may therefore include:
strength
balance
neuromuscular training
mobility
and
functional progression.
Does Limited Ankle Mobility Matter?
It can.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline specifically recommends assessing ankle dorsiflexion in people following ankle sprain or with chronic ankle instability. DOI
Dorsiflexion is the movement that allows the shin to travel forward relative to the foot.
It is used during activities such as:
walking
stairs
squatting
running
and
landing.
If meaningful mobility limitations are present, they may become one component of the rehabilitation plan.
But not every person with ankle instability has the same mobility problem.
Is My Hip Part of the Problem?
Sometimes proximal muscle performance may be relevant.
The clinical practice guideline states that clinicians may assess hip:
abduction
extension
and
external-rotation strength
in patients with chronic ankle instability. DOI
That does not mean:
“Your hip caused your ankle sprain.”
It means the lower extremity functions as a system, particularly during:
single-leg balance
running
jumping
landing
and
direction changes.
If relevant hip deficits are identified, they may be addressed as part of rehabilitation.
Should I Wear an Ankle Brace Forever?
Not necessarily.
Bracing can be useful in certain situations.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline recommends prophylactic bracing and proprioceptive/balance exercise to reduce the risk of recurrent injury after an initial lateral ankle sprain. DOI
But for chronic ankle instability, the same guideline specifically states that clinicians should not use bracing or taping as a stand-alone intervention to improve balance and postural stability. DOI
That distinction is important.
A brace may provide support.
It does not automatically restore:
strength
balance
sensorimotor control
or
sport-specific capacity.
Is Ankle Taping Better Than a Brace?
There is no universal answer for every patient.
Taping and bracing can both be forms of external support.
The choice may depend on:
activity
comfort
sport
cost
previous injury
clinical goals
and
patient preference.
More importantly, external support should not automatically replace rehabilitation.
If the ankle still feels unstable without the brace, the question remains:
What functional deficits are still present?
Should I Practice Standing on One Leg?
Single-leg balance can be useful.
But rehabilitation should not necessarily stop there.
Imagine a soccer player who can stand on one leg for:
30 seconds
in a quiet clinic.
That does not automatically mean the athlete is ready to:
sprint
cut
land
react to another player
and
perform while fatigued.
Balance rehabilitation may therefore progress from relatively simple tasks toward more demanding and relevant activities.
What About Balance Boards and Unstable Surfaces?
These can be useful tools for selected patients.
But the equipment itself is not the treatment goal.
The purpose is to create an appropriate challenge to the patient's postural-control system.
Depending on the patient, progression may involve changes in:
base of support
surface
visual input
movement
speed
external perturbation
or
dual-task demands.
The 2026 research on sensory constraints in chronic ankle instability further supports considering how sensory conditions influence balance rather than viewing balance as a single fixed ability. PubMed
Do I Need to Close My Eyes During Balance Exercises?
Not everyone needs to.
But changing visual input can substantially alter the challenge.
Remember the 2026 systematic review involving 43 studies?
People with chronic ankle instability showed measurable postural-control differences under visual constraint. PubMed
That does not mean:
“Everyone with an ankle sprain should immediately stand on one leg with their eyes closed.”
Safety and appropriate progression matter.
But visual conditions can be one variable a therapist manipulates when appropriate.
Does Manual Therapy Help Chronic Ankle Instability?
Manual therapy may be useful for certain impairments, particularly mobility.
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis included 13 randomized clinical trials involving 497 patients with chronic ankle instability.
The review found improvements in ankle range of motion and self-perceived function with manual therapy compared with comparison interventions, but the effects remained below the authors' selected thresholds for minimal clinically important differences and the certainty of evidence was low. PubMed
This is an important nuance.
Manual therapy may help.
But:
manual therapy alone is not a complete ankle-instability rehabilitation program.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline similarly supports manual therapy for short-term improvements in weight-bearing dorsiflexion and dynamic balance while strongly supporting proprioceptive and neuromuscular exercise. DOI
Can Video Games Help Ankle Rehabilitation?
Interestingly, this is being studied.
A 2026 randomized controlled trial involved 60 participants with chronic ankle instability.
One group received conventional physical therapy.
The other received conventional physical therapy plus Wii Fit-based rehabilitation.
Both groups trained three times per week for eight weeks.
The group receiving the additional Wii Fit intervention showed greater improvements in the study's measures of postural stability, functional ability, and fall-related confidence. PubMed
That doesn't mean:
“Everyone needs a Wii to rehabilitate an ankle.”
The more useful lesson is that engaging, progressively challenging balance tasks may be incorporated in different ways.
What About PNF Exercises?
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis examined proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in people with chronic ankle instability.
The review included:
12 randomized controlled trials and 405 participants.
The authors reported improvements in balance, ankle muscle strength, pain, and perceived ankle instability compared with control conditions, while findings for joint-position sense and dorsiflexion range of motion were less definitive. PubMed
This adds to the broader evidence supporting sensorimotor and exercise-based rehabilitation.
But no single exercise method should be assumed to be universally superior for every patient.
What About Blood-Flow Restriction Training?
A June 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated blood-flow restriction training in people with chronic ankle instability. Researchers examined outcomes including dynamic balance, ankle muscle strength, muscle activation, and perceived ankle instability. PubMed
This is an emerging rehabilitation area.
However, it should not be interpreted as meaning blood-flow restriction is required for ankle instability.
It has specific safety considerations and should only be used when clinically appropriate by a properly trained professional.
For many patients, established balance, neuromuscular, strengthening, and functional rehabilitation remain central.
When Can I Start Running Again?
There is no single number of days that applies to every ankle sprain.
Return to running should consider more than:
“It's been six weeks.”
Depending on the individual, a therapist may consider:
pain
swelling
range of motion
strength
balance
walking tolerance
single-leg control
hopping
and
response to progressive loading.
A runner may then progress through increasingly demanding tasks before returning to normal training volume.
Time matters.
Function matters too.
When Can I Return to Sports?
Sport places demands on the ankle that everyday walking does not.
Depending on the sport, rehabilitation may need to prepare the patient for:
running
accelerating
decelerating
jumping
landing
cutting
changing direction
reacting
and
performing while fatigued.
The APTA/JOSPT guideline recommends objective functional performance measures, including single-limb hopping when appropriate, rather than relying exclusively on symptoms. DOI
Return to sport should therefore be individualized.
Can Physical Therapy Help?
For an appropriately evaluated ankle presentation, physical therapy may help address:
- Ankle range of motion
- Ankle muscle performance
- Calf strength
- Foot and ankle control
- Single-leg balance
- Dynamic balance
- Proprioceptive and neuromuscular function
- Walking tolerance
- Uneven-surface tolerance
- Running
- Jumping
- Landing
- Direction changes
- Return to work
- Return to hiking
- Return to exercise
- Return to sport
The strongest current guideline recommendation for chronic ankle instability is particularly relevant:
Clinicians should prescribe proprioceptive and neuromuscular therapeutic exercise to improve dynamic postural stability and patient-perceived stability during function. DOI
The goal isn't simply:
“Make the ankle hurt less.”
For one patient, success may mean:
“I can walk on uneven ground without worrying.”
For another:
“I can hike again.”
Another:
“I can run without the ankle giving way.”
Another:
“I can play basketball through an entire game.”
And another:
“I can return to work without relying on my brace.”
Those functional goals should shape rehabilitation.
What Does Research Say?
2026 Sensory-Control Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the September–October 2026 issue of Sports Health included 43 studies examining sensory constraints and sensorimotor function in chronic ankle instability.
Compared with healthy controls, people with chronic ankle instability demonstrated deficits in static and dynamic postural control when visual information was constrained.
The review also identified differences in sensory reweighting and muscle-activation behavior. PubMed
This suggests that ankle instability is not necessarily explained by ligament mechanics alone.
The nervous system's ability to organize sensory information during balance may also be relevant.
2026 Fatigue and Balance Systematic Review
A systematic review published September 1, 2026 examined fatigue-related changes in balance among athletes with chronic ankle instability.
Nine studies were included.
Most demonstrated deterioration in static or dynamic balance following fatigue, although one study did not find a significant effect on dynamic balance. PubMed
Clinically, this supports an important idea:
testing an athlete only while rested may not capture everything that happens late in training or competition.
2026 Manual Therapy Meta-Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2026 included:
13 randomized clinical trials involving 497 patients.
Manual therapy improved ankle range of motion and self-perceived function compared with comparison groups.
However, the effects remained below the minimal clinically important difference thresholds used by the authors, and the certainty of evidence was low. PubMed
So manual therapy may be useful for selected impairments—
but the evidence does not support portraying it as a stand-alone fix for ankle instability.
2026 Randomized Balance-Rehabilitation Trial
A randomized controlled trial published in 2026 included 60 people with chronic ankle instability.
Adding Wii Fit-based rehabilitation to conventional physical therapy resulted in greater improvements in measured balance, functional ability, and fall-related confidence than conventional physical therapy alone after eight weeks. PubMed
The study does not prove that video-game rehabilitation is necessary.
It reinforces the potential value of appropriately challenging balance training.
APTA/JOSPT Clinical Practice Guideline
The American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy clinical practice guideline recommends that people with chronic ankle instability receive proprioceptive and neuromuscular therapeutic exercise to improve dynamic postural stability and perceived stability.
It also recommends that bracing or taping not be used as the sole intervention for chronic ankle instability and supports manual therapy for selected short-term mobility and dynamic-balance improvements. DOI
Read the JOSPT ankle-sprain clinical practice guideline
What Does This Mean for Patients?
Persistent ankle instability should not automatically be reduced to:
“Your ligaments are loose.”
or
“Your ankle is weak.”
or
“Just wear a brace forever.”
or
“Stand on one leg for 30 seconds and you're done.”
A more useful rehabilitation process is:
evaluate → identify relevant mobility, strength, balance, sensorimotor, and functional limitations → progressively train them → increase task difficulty → prepare for the patient's actual activity.
If the patient's problem is:
“My ankle gives way when I'm hiking downhill after I've been walking for an hour,”
then rehabilitation eventually needs to consider:
uneven terrain + prolonged activity + balance + fatigue.
That is much more specific than simply:
“ankle strengthening.”
What Happens During a Physical Therapy Evaluation?
At Nova Physical Therapy, an ankle evaluation may include, when appropriate:
a detailed injury history, number of previous sprains, symptom behavior, swelling, ankle range of motion, weight-bearing dorsiflexion, ankle and lower-extremity muscle performance, single-leg balance, dynamic balance, walking, squatting, heel raises, hopping, landing, running, sport-specific movement, and other functional tasks relevant to the patient.
The current clinical practice guideline recommends validated patient-reported measures and objective testing of mobility, balance, and functional performance for people following lateral ankle sprain or experiencing chronic ankle instability. DOI
We may ask:
How many times have you sprained this ankle?
When was the first sprain?
Does the ankle actually roll or simply feel unstable?
Does it happen on flat or uneven ground?
Does fatigue make it worse?
Can you stand on one leg?
Can you hop?
Can you run?
Can you change direction?
Are you still swelling?
Do you have numbness or tingling?
Is there locking or catching?
What sport, work activity, or recreational activity are you trying to return to?
The purpose is not to diagnose a condition from one symptom.
It is to evaluate movement and function, identify relevant impairments, determine whether the presentation is appropriate for physical therapy, and refer when findings warrant additional medical assessment.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
A gradually improving ankle sprain with residual balance difficulty is different from a new injury with:
severe pain and inability to bear weight.
Seek appropriate medical evaluation for symptoms such as:
significant new trauma, inability to bear weight, obvious deformity, substantial or rapidly increasing swelling, severe focal bone tenderness after injury, persistent locking or catching, progressive numbness or weakness, significant redness or warmth with fever, unexplained worsening symptoms, or loss of function that is not following an expected recovery pattern.
Repeated instability episodes also deserve evaluation rather than simply being accepted as:
“That's my bad ankle.”
Some patients may require imaging or medical/surgical assessment depending on the history and examination findings.
Why Patients Choose Nova Physical Therapy
At Nova Physical Therapy, our philosophy is simple:
We Care.
But:
“My ankle feels unstable”
doesn't tell us enough.
One patient means:
“I feel fine walking, but my ankle gives way on hiking trails.”
Another means:
“I've sprained the same ankle four times playing basketball.”
Another:
“It feels unstable only when I'm tired.”
Another:
“I still can't squat because my ankle feels stiff.”
And another:
“I injured it yesterday and can't put weight on it.”
Those patients should not automatically receive the same treatment.
We want to understand:
What happened?
How many previous injuries have you had?
How does the ankle move?
How strong is the lower extremity?
How is your single-leg balance?
What happens when you hop or land?
What happens when you become fatigued?
What activities matter to you?
Are there findings requiring additional medical evaluation?
Then, when physical therapy is appropriate, rehabilitation can be individualized.
Our approach emphasizes:
individualized physical therapy evaluation, evidence-informed rehabilitation, progressive strengthening, balance and neuromuscular training, functional progression, patient education, return to meaningful activity, and appropriate referral when findings warrant additional medical assessment.
The goal isn't simply:
“Make your ankle feel okay in the clinic.”
The goal is to help build the capacity you need when you:
walk
work
hike
run
jump
land
exercise
or
play your sport.
That's part of what We Care means to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my ankle still feel unstable months after a sprain?
Some people have persistent mobility, strength, balance, sensorimotor, or functional deficits after an ankle sprain. Recurrent “giving way” can be associated with chronic ankle instability, but an evaluation is needed rather than diagnosing it from symptoms alone. DOI
Why does my ankle keep giving out?
Giving-way episodes can be associated with persistent ankle instability, but patients use “giving out” to describe different sensations. The history and examination help clarify what is occurring.
Does an unstable ankle mean my ligament never healed?
No. Perceived instability can involve mechanical factors, functional or sensorimotor deficits, or combinations of these. DOI
Why is my balance worse after an ankle sprain?
Balance depends on sensory information, neuromuscular control, strength, and task demands. Recent research has identified postural-control and sensory-processing differences in people with chronic ankle instability. PubMed
Why is my ankle worse when I'm tired?
A 2026 systematic review found that fatigue commonly worsened static or dynamic balance in athletes with chronic ankle instability, although findings were not identical across every study. PubMed
Should I wear an ankle brace?
A brace may be useful in certain situations, particularly for recurrent-injury prevention, but guidelines recommend against using external support alone to improve balance and postural stability in chronic ankle instability. DOI
Are balance exercises good after an ankle sprain?
Yes, when appropriately prescribed. Current clinical guidance supports proprioceptive and balance-focused exercise following ankle sprain and neuromuscular/proprioceptive training for chronic ankle instability. DOI
Is standing on one leg enough?
It may be a useful starting exercise, but someone returning to running or sport may require progressively more demanding balance, hopping, landing, agility, and sport-specific tasks.
Does manual therapy help ankle instability?
It may improve certain mobility and functional outcomes in the short term, but a 2026 meta-analysis found low-certainty evidence and changes below selected clinical-importance thresholds. It should not automatically replace exercise-based rehabilitation. PubMed
Can I run with an unstable ankle?
Return to running should be individualized according to symptoms, mobility, strength, balance, functional performance, and response to progressive loading.
How do I know when I'm ready to return to sports?
A physical therapist may consider pain, swelling, mobility, strength, dynamic balance, hopping, landing, agility, sport-specific performance, and the patient's response to progressive training rather than relying only on time since injury.
Can physical therapy help chronic ankle instability?
For an appropriate presentation, physical therapy may address ankle mobility, muscle performance, balance, proprioceptive and neuromuscular function, functional movement, and return to activity. Current guidelines strongly support proprioceptive and neuromuscular therapeutic exercise. DOI
Schedule an Evaluation
If your ankle continues to:
feel unstable, give way, repeatedly roll, limit walking on uneven ground, interfere with hiking or running, affect exercise, or keep you from returning to sport, a physical therapy evaluation can help identify relevant movement and functional limitations.
At Nova Physical Therapy, rehabilitation can be built around what you actually need the ankle to do.
Visit Nova Physical Therapy Services to learn more about physical therapy care in North Hollywood.
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, medical diagnosis, imaging interpretation, exercise clearance, return-to-sport clearance, or individualized physical therapy treatment.
Ankle instability, weakness, giving way, balance difficulty, recurrent ankle sprains, swelling, stiffness, or other symptoms cannot independently establish chronic ankle instability, ligament injury, tendon injury, fracture, neurological involvement, joint pathology, or another musculoskeletal or medical condition.
Physical therapists evaluate physical status, movement, muscle performance, balance, function, and activity limitations within their regulated scope of practice and refer when findings warrant additional medical assessment. California physical therapy practice is regulated by the Physical Therapy Board of California.
Research involving participants with chronic ankle instability should not automatically be generalized to acute fractures, major traumatic injuries, postoperative conditions, neurological disorders, systemic conditions, or every person with ankle symptoms.
Exercise, manual therapy, bracing, taping, balance training, or other interventions cannot guarantee symptom resolution or prevention of another ankle sprain.
Individual results vary.
References
- Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision 2021. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;51(4):CPG1–CPG80. DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0302. DOI
- Hu X, Zeng Z, Ho CY, Fong DTP, Yang Y. Effects of Sensory Constraints on Sensorimotor Functions in People With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Health. 2026;18(5):1114–1125. Forty-three studies were included. PubMed
- Abolhasani MM, Mofateh R, Ansari NN. Fatigue-induced changes in static and dynamic balance control in athletes with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation.Published September 1, 2026. Nine studies were included. PubMed
- Salminen I, Schroderus N, Takatalo J. Effectiveness of manual therapy with and without exercise in chronic ankle instability for pain, mobility, and function: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2026;48(17):5465–5480. Thirteen randomized clinical trials involving 497 patients were included. PubMed
- Abdel-Aal NM, El-Kablawy MA, Kadah MAH, et al. Effect of Wii Fit Rehabilitation on Balance, Functional Ability, and Risk of Falling in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2026;105(2):110–118. PubMed
- Yin Y, Wang J, Lin Q, et al. Effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on patients with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2025;20(1):e0311355. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 405 participants were included. PubMed
- Liu J, Lin X, Chen P. Effects of blood-flow restriction training on dynamic postural control and ankle function in individuals with chronic ankle instability: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. Published June 9, 2026. PubMed
- Jaffri A, Koldenhoven R, Lempke A, et al. Peroneal Muscle Size and Quality Changes after Impairment-Based Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.Published September 1, 2026;21(9):843–851. PubMed