Episode Details

"It keeps coming back to the same spot."

If your cheer athlete keeps rolling the same ankle, it's not bad luck, and it's not "just a sprain." In this episode, I break down why ankle sprains keep coming back and what's really going on underneath: ligaments that stay loose, sensors that don't recalibrate when the pain goes away, and landings that change in ways that set her up to roll it again.

I also share the story of a client in her 30s who came to me for back pain. The real culprit turned out to be ankle sprains from her high school cheer days. You'll hear how the ankle, hip, core and even the opposite shoulder all work together.

In this episode:

• The 3 reasons ankle sprains keep coming back
• Why the hip gets weaker on the same side after repeat sprains
• How an old ankle sprain can show up as back and shoulder pain years later
• My return-to-mat checklist: what "fully rehabbed" actually means
• How long recovery takes (and why the answer is "it depends")
• Braces: when they help and when they hold your athlete back

Mentioned in this episode:

• Injury Prevention for Cheerleaders Mini Video Series ($7):
• Episode 129: From Braces to Body Control: How to Help Cheerleaders Move Smarter
• Join the free Facebook group, Mat Ready Cheer Athletes with The Cheer PT:
• Connect with Laura: https://LTTheCheerPT.com

Research referenced:

• Friel K, et al. Ipsilateral Hip Abductor Weakness After Inversion Ankle Sprain. Journal of Athletic Training. 2006;41(1):74–78.
• Yeum W-J, et al. The Influence of Hip-Strengthening Program on Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability. Medicina. 2024;60:1199.
• Gong et al. Lower extremity biomechanics in chronic ankle instability during landing (systematic review). Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2025.
• StatPearls: Ankle Sprain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560619/

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If your athlete has pain, see a physical therapist or healthcare provider.