People with instability of a joint lose out in three ways. First, an unstable joint loses receptor activity. this receptor feedback is designed to monitor what happens with that joint’s position and dynamic movement. Second, this loss of receptor feedback will result in damage to the joint surface, accelerating degeneration, arthritis, bone spurs, or stiffness. Third, without information coming from the joint, the body’s nervous system cannot tell what is happening with the joint. You lose balance. A wobbly ankle joint won’t allow the minute corrections to happen with the leg muscles and the nervous system.
Todd Lloyd, DC, Santa Rosa, CA

KEY POINTS
Journal of Athletic Training
J Athl Train. 2007 Jul-Sep;42(3): 367-373
