Recurring Ankle Sprains? Your Body Might Be Missing This Key Support

Recurring Ankle Sprains? Your Body Might Be Missing This Key Support

We see it all the time.

Someone comes in with their third—or maybe fourth—ankle sprain. Same ankle. Similar movement. And often, not much force behind it.

A quick step sideways. A misjudged landing. A slightly uneven surface. That familiar twist. That familiar pain.

At first glance, it seems like bad luck.
But often, there’s more to it.

If your ankle keeps giving way, your body might be missing something important. Not just strength. Not just balance. But support—the kind that comes from a well-coordinated system working together.

Let’s take a closer look.

Why the Same Ankle Keeps Giving Way

A single ankle sprain is common. Especially in sport. But when it keeps happening—months or even years later—it’s a red flag.

It’s a sign the ankle never fully recovered. And that the rest of your body might not be doing its job to back it up.

We call this chronic ankle instability. It often looks like:

• Rolling your ankle doing everyday things

• Feeling unsure on uneven ground

• Hesitating when changing direction

• A sense that your ankle is “wobbly” or unreliable

And it’s not just about the ankle itself.

The Missing Link: Proprioception and Support from Above

After a sprain, the small stabilising muscles around the ankle don’t just weaken—they lose their coordination.

They become slower to react. Slower to correct. So when your foot lands awkwardly, your body doesn’t catch it in time.

This is where proprioception comes in.
That’s your body’s built-in balance system. It helps you know where your joints are in space—even with your eyes closed.

When it’s not firing properly, your ankle stays vulnerable.

But here’s the twist:
It’s not just about rehabbing the ankle. Your hips, glutes, and core play a huge role too.

If they’re not providing a stable base, your ankle is left to do too much on its own. And that’s when it buckles—again.

What Can You Do About It?

Most people try to “walk it off” after a sprain. Maybe a bit of rest, some ice, and a few days of limping.

But if you don’t retrain the support system that protects the ankle, it stays exposed.

That’s where physio comes in.
At Belconnen Physio, we take a big-picture approach.

We’ll help you:

• Restore mobility in the ankle so it moves freely

• Rebuild strength in the muscles that support it

• Retrain proprioception with balance and control work

• Activate your hips and core, so your ankle has backup when it matters

It’s not about doing dozens of ankle circles. It’s about retraining your body to trust the joint again—and respond fast when things go off balance.

Small Fixes. Big Difference.

Simple exercises like single-leg stands, balance drills, and hip strength work can be game changers. Done consistently, they rewire your body to support itself better.

And the best part?
It’s not just about preventing another sprain.
It’s about moving with more confidence, freedom, and stability—on the field, at work, or just walking around the shops.

Final Thought

If you’ve been caught in the cycle of recurring ankle sprains, it’s time to stop blaming luck.
Your body’s not broken. But it is missing something.

Let’s figure out what that is—and help you build it back, stronger than before.