Extremities & Joints
Ankle Instability
A repeatedly rolling or unreliable ankle, usually following earlier sprains.
Also called: Chronic ankle instability, Giving way ankle.
Instability after ankle sprains is often as much about altered position sense and delayed muscle response as it is about ligament laxity. The ankle may feel unreliable even when ligament tissue has healed.
This pattern can persist for years after the original injury if the underlying balance and coordination deficits are never addressed.
Why this matters
People avoid uneven ground, hiking, and sport, and that avoidance quietly reduces general activity. Over time, this can affect fitness and confidence well beyond the ankle itself.
Repeated rolling episodes also raise the risk of further injury, so addressing the underlying instability matters even between sprains.
The brain & nervous-system connection
Where the nervous system fits in
Position sense from the ankle feeds directly into balance. This is one of the clearest examples of why we test balance and coordination rather than only the sore joint.
Retraining the nervous system's response to sudden shifts in ankle position is central to reducing how often the ankle gives way.
What we look at
We look for patterns, not a single test
- Detailed health history and consultation
- NeuroInfiniti Stress Response Evaluation
- Posture and movement
- Balance and coordination testing
- Eye movement or neurological screening when appropriate
- Grip or motor-function testing when appropriate
- Palpation and spinal function
- Other examination procedures based on the individual
Not every person receives every test. What we perform depends on your history, your age and what the examination shows as we go.
Scope of care
What this does — and doesn't — mean
What we do
- • We evaluate chiropractic and musculoskeletal function.
- • We look at nervous-system-related functional findings that fall within our scope.
- • We assess movement, balance and coordination findings.
- • We measure stress-response patterns with the NeuroInfiniti evaluation.
- • We make individualized chiropractic care recommendations and re-measure over time.
What we don't claim
- • We do not diagnose, treat or cure diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease or other neurological diseases.
- • Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care, testing or medication.
- • No outcome is promised. Results vary from person to person.
Common questions
- Will I be adjusted on the first visit?
- Generally no. The first visit is an evaluation visit. Dr. Geran reviews the findings and makes recommendations at the follow-up visit.
- Do I need imaging before I come in?
- Not usually. If your history or examination suggests imaging is needed, we will say so and help arrange the right next step.
When medical evaluation may be needed
Some symptoms need medical evaluation first. If anything in your history or examination suggests that, we will say so and help point you in the right direction.
Related at Foothills Chiropractic
- Balance & Coordination — Balance is a whole-nervous-system task. It is also one of the easier things to measure and re-measure.
- Achilles Tendinopathy — Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon, usually load-related.
- Ankle Pain — Pain or restriction at the ankle, often after an old injury.
- Atlantoaxial Instability — Excessive movement between the first two neck bones — a medical finding requiring caution.
Think Foothills Chiropractic might be right for you?
Start Here walks you through what the process looks like, so you can decide whether taking the next step makes sense for you.