Why Does My Ankle Keep Giving Way?
If your ankle keeps giving way, rolling unexpectedly or feeling weak, it may not have fully recovered from an earlier sprain.
You might notice it when walking on uneven ground, stepping off a kerb or changing direction during sport. Some people have pain or swelling. Others simply feel unsteady and start avoiding certain activities.
Recurring ankle sprains are common, but they are not something you should ignore. The right assessment can help identify why the problem keeps returning and what you can do about it.
What happens when you sprain your ankle?
An ankle sprain usually happens when the foot rolls inwards and stretches the tissues that support the joint.
- Pain around the outside of the ankle
- Swelling or bruising
- Difficulty walking
- Reduced movement
- Weakness or instability
These symptoms often settle within days or weeks. The ankle may feel better, but that does not always mean it has fully recovered. Some stiffness, weakness or reduced control can remain after the swelling disappears. That can increase the risk of another sprain.
Why does my ankle keep giving way?
Your ankle depends on strong muscles, good balance and quick reactions. When the ground changes under your foot, the muscles in your foot and lower leg need to respond quickly. After an ankle sprain, that response may become slower or less controlled. This can make the ankle feel unstable.
Common causes include:
- Reduced strength after an ankle injury
- Poor balance
- Stiffness in the ankle joint
- Returning to sport too quickly
- Previous sprains that were not fully rehabilitated
- Unsuitable footwear
- Changes in how your foot and lower leg move
An ankle can keep giving way even when there is little pain. This may still suggest that the joint is not controlling movement as well as it should.
Why rest may not solve recurring ankle sprains
Rest can help reduce pain and swelling. It does not always restore strength, balance or movement. This is why an ankle may feel fine while you are resting, then start causing problems again when you return to walking, running or sport.
An ankle support can provide short-term stability. Different shoes may also help. These changes can reduce symptoms, but they may not address the underlying cause.
Without proper rehabilitation, you may continue to sprain the same ankle. Each new injury can lead to more weakness, stiffness and loss of confidence.
How an unstable ankle can affect daily life
Recurring ankle problems do not only affect athletes. You may notice your ankle giving way when:
- Walking the dog
- Going down stairs
- Stepping off a pavement
- Gardening
- Hiking
- Playing golf, tennis or padel
- Walking in certain shoes
- Standing for long periods
You may also change the way you walk without realising it. You might put more weight through the other leg, shorten your steps or avoid turning through the affected side. Over time, these changes may place more strain on your foot, knee, hip or lower back.
When should you seek help?
Book an assessment if:
- Your ankle has given way more than once
- You keep spraining the same ankle
- It still feels weak after an injury
- Pain or swelling returns after activity
- You avoid exercise because you do not trust it
- You have changed the way you walk
- Home exercises have not helped
- You are unsure what is causing the pain
Severe pain, marked swelling or an inability to put weight through the foot may need urgent medical attention.
What happens during a musculoskeletal assessment?
A musculoskeletal podiatry assessment looks at the ankle, foot and lower leg. Your podiatrist will ask about the original injury, when the ankle gives way and which activities cause problems.
They may assess:
- Ankle and foot movement
- Muscle strength
- The way you stand and walk
- Lower-leg movement
- Previous injuries
- Your footwear
- Your activity levels
The aim is to understand why your ankle keeps giving way and what needs to improve.
How can treatment help?
Your treatment plan will depend on what the assessment finds. It may include:
- Exercises to improve strength
- Balance and stability work
- Advice on returning to exercise
- Footwear changes
- Orthotics where appropriate
Not everyone needs orthotics. They may help when the way your foot moves is placing load on your ankle, but this should form part of a wider treatment plan.
The goal is not only to reduce pain. Treatment should help your ankle feel stronger, steadier and more reliable during everyday activity.
Get help for recurring ankle sprains
If your ankle keeps giving way, repeatedly rolls or has never felt right since a previous sprain, it is worth finding out why. Waiting for another injury will not fix the underlying problem.
A musculoskeletal assessment can help identify the cause and give you a clear plan for improving strength, movement and stability.
Book a musculoskeletal assessment with Edward Double at Epsom Footcare or call our Patient Care Team on 01372 723000.
