Ankle impingement occurs when either soft tissue or bone fragments get compressed, or trapped, if you bend your ankle. This impingement is usually a result of an acute injury, or prolonged stress from repetitive activities. Ankle impingement can either be anterior (affecting the front part of the ankle) or posterior (affecting the back part of the ankle). Anterior ankle impingement usually causes pain on the front/outside of the ankle when the ankle is bent upward (dorsiflexion). Posterior ankle impingement can produce pain in the back of the heel when the ankle is pointed downward (plantarflexion). Ankle impingement is often diagnosed in athletes who play soccer and football, as well as in dancers, gymnasts, and runners. If you have this type of ankle pain, a podiatrist can help you restore ankle stability with certain strengthening exercises, while treating pain and inflammation with rest, icing, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, or even surgery in some cases.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Foot Health Center of Merrimack Valley. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
- Ankle sprains
- Broken ankles
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fractures
- Bursitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in North Andover, and Tewksbury, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.