When is physiotherapy recommended for chronic ankle instability?

Chronic ankle instability can follow an ankle sprain when ligaments, strength, joint movement, or balance have not fully recovered. You may feel the ankle wobble on uneven ground, avoid certain activities, or experience repeated rolling. Assessment includes walking, single-leg control, ankle range, calf strength, and balance reactions. Rehabilitation targets the specific gap found during that assessment.

Arrange physiotherapy when giving way continues after an earlier sprain, confidence is falling, or activity remains restricted. A programme may progress from ankle movement and calf strengthening to balance, landing, turning, and uneven-surface tasks. Supportive footwear or a brace may be discussed for selected activities, but these do not replace strength and balance work. Learn more about [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/).

Seek medical assessment if you cannot bear weight, have marked swelling or deformity, numbness, unusual coldness, or severe pain after a new injury. Persistent tenderness over a bone, locking, or repeated falls deserves review because another injury may be present.

Ask which exercises match your instability, whether a brace is appropriate, how to judge readiness for sport, and when imaging or an ankle specialist should be considered.