Ankle instability
Ankle instability is where the ankle feels wobbly or keeps giving way, usually after one or more ankle sprains that have left the supporting ligaments stretched or weakened. Read more about ankle instability →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the orthopaedics wait, updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
orthopaedics waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | Reading | 5 weeks |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | Bath and North East Somerset | 12 weeks |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Liverpool | 13 weeks |
| George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | Nuneaton and Bedworth | 13 weeks |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | Warwick | 14 weeks |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 15 weeks |
| South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Middlesbrough | 15 weeks |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Camden | 16 weeks |
About ankle instability
Ankle instability is where the ankle feels wobbly or keeps giving way, usually after one or more ankle sprains that have left the supporting ligaments stretched or weakened. It can cause repeated sprains, a feeling of the ankle letting go, and pain or swelling, especially on uneven ground.
How it is treated
Most people improve without surgery. The mainstay is physiotherapy, with balance and strengthening exercises to retrain the ankle, sometimes alongside a brace or supportive footwear and taping for activity. If the ankle stays unstable despite good rehabilitation, surgery to tighten or repair the ligaments is an option a specialist can discuss.
After treatment
With a consistent exercise programme, most people regain confidence in the ankle over a few months. Keeping the muscles strong and the balance work going helps prevent further sprains, and a gradual return to sport is usually guided by your team.
Sources: NHS: Sprains and strains. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.