Some children and teenagers roll their ankle repeatedly, especially during sport. Recurrent ankle sprains can be linked with reduced balance, strength and foot posture. This page explains recurrent ankle sprains in kids and how balance training, bracing and orthotic therapy may help.
An ankle sprain happens when the ligaments supporting the ankle are overstretched, most often when the foot rolls inwards (inversion). After an initial sprain, some young people experience repeated sprains or a feeling that the ankle ‘gives way’. This is often called ankle instability.
Contributing factors can include incomplete rehabilitation after a previous sprain, reduced balance and strength, high-arched feet that sit more on the outer edge, ligament laxity, and sports involving jumping and changing direction. For more about acute sprains, see our ankle sprain page.
Management focuses on balance and strength training, with strapping or bracing for sport and, where foot posture contributes, orthotic therapy.
Children may not always describe symptoms clearly, so parents often notice changes in walking, activity or footwear first. Common signs include:
A podiatry assessment considers your child’s growth stage, symptoms, foot posture, walking pattern, activity levels and footwear.
Single-leg balance and functional tests.
Assesses ligament stability and range of motion.
Identifies foot types that may increase rolling.
Sport demands, boots and shoes.
Imaging or medical review for suspected fractures or significant injury.
Management is tailored to your child’s age, activity level, foot posture and goals.
Where foot posture increases the tendency to roll outwards, orthotic therapy may be considered to help position the foot more centrally and improve stability. Orthoses may include features on the outer side to reduce inversion load.
Orthoses are used alongside balance training and, for sport, ankle bracing or strapping, which have good evidence for reducing repeat sprains.
Progressive ankle strengthening and balance work.
May be considered where foot posture contributes to ankle rolling.
Strapping or bracing for sport.
Stable, well-fitted sports shoes and boots.
Joint mobilisation may be discussed where stiffness is present.
Sport-specific drills before full return.
Learn more about orthotic therapy, strengthening, stretching and strapping, or view all treatments. Related kids conditions include high arches, hypermobile feet, foot apophysitis, tibialis posterior strain, foot fatigue in sport.
Assessment after a first sprain, or when sprains start to repeat, can help build a rehabilitation plan.
Please seek medical care if your child cannot bear weight after an injury, if there is tenderness over the ankle or foot bones, significant swelling or bruising, or if pain does not improve, as a fracture may need to be ruled out.
Repeat sprains are often linked to incomplete rehabilitation, reduced balance and strength, foot posture or sports demands.
Where foot posture contributes, orthoses may help improve stability, particularly when combined with balance training.
Bracing or strapping during sport may be recommended while strength and balance improve.
Yes. In children, ankle injuries can affect growth plates, so significant injuries should be assessed medically.
We create a calm, supportive space to help children feel comfortable during assessment.
Where appropriate, prefabricated and custom foot orthoses are discussed based on assessment findings.
We help parents understand what is normal, what may need monitoring, and what can be supported.
Our clinic is located at 1/50 Kitchener Parade, Bankstown, and sees families from across Sydney, including Bankstown, Condell Park, Padstow, Revesby, Lakemba and Belmore. Visit our children’s podiatry page for more kids foot conditions, read about our clinic, or contact the clinic to make an appointment enquiry.
This information is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual assessment and advice. Outcomes vary between children. If you are concerned about your child’s health, please consult your GP or a registered health practitioner.
