When we’re walking, running or moving, our ankles are swiveling and flexing in multiple directions to accommodate the forces we’re throwing at them. Oftentimes this process works flawlessly, while other times your ankle can seemingly catch or lock up. What’s causing this locking or sticking sensation, and how can I treat it so that my ankle moves normally again? In today’s blog, we explain why your ankle may feel stuck when you’re moving it.
My Ankle Feels Stuck
To get a better understanding of why your ankle can sometimes feel stuck or like it’s locking up, let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of the ankle joint. The lower end of your tibia (leg bone) connects with the tip of the talus bone (ankle), and this connection allows for movement of the ankle joint. The job of the talus is to transfer weight-bearing from the bones of the shin to your foot, ensuring no particular area gets overloaded with stress easily.
Both the top of your talus, known as your talar dome, and the bottom of your tibia are coated with cartilage that helps to facilitate movement at the joint. This cartilage is extremely durable yet smooth, and its goal is to provide a lifetime of friction-free interactions between your talus and tibia. However, if the area suffers acute damage or arthritic degeneration, this movement can become impeded and provide the sensation that your ankle is stuck or locking up.
Oftentimes this sensation is the result of a condition known as an osteochondral lesion. This occurs when a small bone formation or fragment of cartilage ends up settling between the tibia and talus. Think of it like a small piece of gravel or sand between interlocking gears. This extra fragment or impediment interrupts the smooth movement and can create a locking or unstable sensation.
These lesions typically develop in the wake of trauma to the ankle, so if you suffer a severe ankle sprain, a fracture or direct trauma to the top of your ankle, this connection between the tibia and talus could be disrupted by the formation of an osteochondral lesion. Besides the feeling of a stuck or locked ankle, other symptoms of an osteochondral lesion include:
- Ankle pain
- Swelling
- Ankle instability
- Inhibited range of motion
Diagnosing And Treating A Stuck Ankle
If your ankle is feeling stuck at times, head to a foot and ankle specialist’s office. They’ll begin the diagnosis by talking about your symptoms, reviewing your medical history and having you perform a few range of motion tests. From there, your specialist may opt to pinpoint the issue with the help of an X-ray, MRI or CT scan to understand the true extent of damage to the bone and soft tissues.
Once the issue has been identified, your doctor can go to work on a treatment plan. Most osteochondral lesions heal well with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy and range of motion exercises. Gradual return to intense physical activity is advised. If these methods fail, your specialist will likely talk to you about a minimally invasive debridement procedure to remove the impediment and stabilize the ankle joint. This procedure is highly successful, but most people can find relief without the need for surgical intervention.