Ankle impingement, known as "footballer's ankle"
What is a "footballer's ankle"?
What is known as a "footballer's ankle" is a bony outgrowth (an osteophyte) at the front of the ankle joint, which develops through repeated loading, microtrauma or chronic overextension. The name comes from sport – footballers, dancers and others in jumping or contact sports are particularly often affected.
These bony prominences form at the front of the joint surface of the shin bone (tibia) or of the talus and lead to soft tissue being pinched mechanically, particularly when the foot is pulled upwards (dorsiflexion).
Causes
A footballer's ankle usually forms through wear, or as a reaction to it.
- Repeated microtrauma from twisting the ankle or from jumping
- Chronic overextension of the ankle, for instance when striking the ball in football
- Bone forming after ligament injuries, instability or irritation
- Joint behaviour close to osteoarthritis, in which the joint reacts by forming osteophytes
- Earlier operations or cartilage damage, which lead to remodelling of the bone
- Excessive mobility or injuries that healed in the wrong position can increase the risk.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a footballer's ankle frequently develop gradually over weeks or months and are noticed at first above all under sporting load. Many people ignore them to begin with, because they are not constant but usually depend on movement or load
Feeling of catching
An unpleasant blocked feeling, as if "something in the joint were in the way or getting stuck", particularly with quick changes of direction or when stretching.
Pain
The pain occurs above all when the foot is bent upwards (dorsiflexion)
Swelling
After activity, swelling frequently occurs around the front of the ankle joint, occasionally accompanied by fluid in the joint
When should you see a doctor?
If you regularly have pain or a blocked feeling in the ankle – particularly under sporting load – and your movement is restricted, you should have the joint examined by a specialist. The sooner the cause is identified, the better lasting damage and further problems can be avoided.
Treatment options for anterior ankle impingement
A "footballer's ankle" is a frequently overlooked but very treatable cause of ankle pain and restricted movement – particularly in people who are active in sport. Timely assessment and targeted treatment prevent lasting damage and allow a return to unrestricted activity.
Treatment options
Non-surgical and surgical – we will find the right approach for you
Taking anti-inflammatory medication, ibuprofen for example
For short-term relief of pain and irritation.
Physiotherapy
Targeted exercises to mobilise the ankle, strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve the way the joint moves.
Manual therapy
To loosen adhesions, improve the mechanics of the joint and reduce functional blockages.
Supports or insoles
For better stability and to take pressure off the front of the ankle, particularly under longer loads at work or in everyday life.
Removing the bony outgrowths (osteophytes)
The bony prominence on the shin bone or the talus that is getting in the way is carefully removed, in order to relieve the pinching.
Smoothing the joint (debridement)
Rough or worn tissue and irritated parts of the capsule are smoothed and removed in order to take load off the joint.
Treating accompanying damage
Where present, smaller cartilage defects, irritation of the joint lining or thickening of the capsule are treated at the same time.
Our foot specialists
Experienced consultants for footballer's ankle and foot surgery
