Are you dealing with an uncomfortable pinching sensation in your feet? Does moving your ankle in certain directions trigger discomfort or pain? If so, you may be dealing with ankle impingement syndrome. Ankle impingement occurs when tissue around the ankle joint swells, and this swollen tissue then becomes compressed between your tibia and talus when you move your foot in different directions.
Because this tissue swelling typically occurs as a result of acute or repetitive stress on the area, ankle impingement is quite common in athletes, especially those who move on a hard court or surface, like basketball players, runners, volleyball players, tennis players and pickleballers. Below, we take a closer look at ankle impingement and how you can work to overcome the condition.
Pinching Pain In Ankles
Ankle impingement develops in one of two forms, but both conditions involve a trapping of the soft tissues when bending the ankle. It tends to be most common following mild injuries to the ankle joint, like a sprain, or due to accumulated repetitive stress leading to soft tissue damage and inflammation. The two main types of ankle impingement are:
Anterior Ankle Impingement – Anterior ankle impingement involves irritation of soft tissues at the front of the ankle joint, and it’s more common in athletes who perform repetitive ankle dorsiflexion movements (bending up at the ankle joint). It’s more common in soccer players, football players, gymnasts and runners, and discomfort is usually felt at the front-outside area of the ankle, especially when performing standard athletic movements.
Posterior Ankle Impingement – Conversely, posterior ankle impingement develops on the backside of the ankle, and it’s more common in athletes who regularly have their foot in a forced plantarflexion position (toes pointed downward). It’s a notorious issue among ballet dancers who stand in the demi pointe or en pointe positions, but it can also develop in athletes like soccer players or runners.
Aside from a pinching-like pain with movement, patients with ankle impingement may notice swelling in the affected area and reduced ankle range of motion.
Treating Ankle Impingement
If you’re dealing with the above symptoms and they are making it hard to participate in your favorite sport or simply walk comfortably, it’s wise to connect with a foot and ankle specialist in your area. Dr. Lance Silverman has helped numerous patients overcome their ankle impingement symptoms, and he can do the same for you.
The main reason why you should seek out a professional evaluation is so that you can clearly understand what’s causing your impingement. While we know that a soft tissue is being compressed, it could be because of trauma to that tissue or the result of a bony overgrowth along the neck of the talus. Although both root causes typically follow a similar treatment course, the specific care paths do differ a little, so it’s important to hone in on why impingement has developed.
Most orthopaedic specialists will begin by charting a course of conservative care. Rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications should prove helpful in the early stages of recovery. After a few days, your doctor will likely have you progress to some movement exercises or a physical therapy program. These carefully controlled movements will help to reestablish healthy range of motion in the ankle joint without triggering another impingement. A gradual return to more intense activity can help to keep symptoms at bay, but patients will want to be extra mindful to avoid overstressing the area to reduce their risk of recurrence.
If conservative care fails, a minimally invasive procedure to debride loose soft tissues or remove bony overgrowths may be recommended, but oftentimes conservative care provides enough relief such that surgery is not necessary.
For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.