Unstable ankles, loose ligaments
More details » Take the first step towards pain-free walking. Try a pair of kybun trial shoes for 14 days.
Definition
Causes
Long-term consequences
Conventional therapy
- Initial efforts focus on functional treatment: physiotherapy and possibly the prescription of a brace. So-called neuromuscular training is also very common. It focuses on improving ankle power, stability and coordination.
- If the joint remains unstable despite training because the ligaments are too loose, surgical shortening can solve the problem.
- Even if a problem in the interior of the joint can be corrected surgically, muscle coordination will probably have been impaired during the lengthy period of instability. That is why rehabilitation exercises are always an important part of treatment following an operation.
Many customers with loose ligaments assume incorrectly that the kybun mat/kybun shoe is not suitable for them, but the opposite is true: unstable ankles/loose ligaments can only be trained on an unstable surface (such as the kybun mat/kybun shoe)! In physiotherapy, many coordination exercises are also carried out on unstable platforms (balancing board, etc.) in order to train foot proprioception and coordination.
The kybun principle of operation – being proactive
Initial reactions
kybun exercises
- Focus on slow exercises to promote muscle coordination (the better the coordination, the better the stability)
- If you notice that you are becoming fatigued, transition immediately to fast exercises to allow your musculature to recover.
Application tips
- Selecting the right dosage is very important in the beginning – adjusting the length of time you use the kybun shoe/kybun mat to your personal needs. It is better to walk shorter distances on ordinary surfaces at first, so your body can adjust to the challenge of walking with the kybun shoe/standing on the kybun mat.
- Gradually increase the duration of use at your discretion until the strength and coordination of your feet is sufficient for walking in the kybun shoe for several hours. For some people, this is possible after just a few days while others take longer. It is highly individual.
The kybun shoe is a training device and can, but does not have to, become an everyday shoe later. - Be sure to maintain correct foot position on the kybun mat/in the kybun shoe. This means that the foot should stand straight on the soft, elastic material without lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint. Any lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint on the kybun mat/in the kybun shoe is usually not the fault of kybun but is caused by foot weakness, which has to be gradually alleviated through training. You will notice immediately when you place one-sided strain on your feet because the sole yields in the corresponding area.
- Try to focus on the foot position and correct lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint. This strengthens your foot musculature so that, with time, you no longer tip sideways. Make sure that your body does not cramp up. Read more under ‘Lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint’.
- Be sure not to take steps that are too long; that makes it easier to stabilise the foot over the kybun shoe sole and reduces the tendency towards lateral/medial rolling of the ankle joint.
- If walking upright in the kybun shoe is no longer possible or you notice that you are ‘standing beside the shoe’ and are unable to correct this any longer, take this as a sign of body fatigue that means that you should take a short break from the kybun shoe.
- If your foot musculature is weak, it may make sense to acquire a model with a lower rebound effect when you first purchase the kybun shoe. This sole is more stable in the midfoot section. (Please consult your kybun dealer for further information.)
- Try various kybun shoes; some models with a higher cut provide more stability.
- If you still feel too insecure walking in the kybun shoe, the kybun mat is the ideal training device for the careful development of the foot musculature. Please give your body time, and do not give up too quickly.
The kybun mat is available in three different thicknesses. This allows you to choose the thickness that is most comfortable for you (the thicker, the more unstable, the more intensive the training).
You can also hold on to a fixed object if you need additional support when using the kybun mat.
Opinions/customer testimonials
"Proprioception (our sense of our body's movements and relative position) and proprioceptive training are very important to avoid injury. The kybun shoe is an effective tool for such training sessions; it can be worn the whole time and is very comfortable. It means that you are involved in a kind of constant training session without having to make a lot of effort. In the end I was able to try out the effect myself. Without any specific therapy, just from wearing the kybun shoe, I was able to cure my Achilles tendonitis: the unstable sole strengthened the muscles stabilising my ankle joints, taking the burden off the rest of my overstressed muscles. I recommend the kybun shoe following injuries to the lower extremities, for jobs in standing positions, for sportspeople and for the elderly, to prevent falls."