One day, you’re running along a path or jumping to catch a ball with no issues, but the next, your ankle is in pain. While it might feel like a simple ankle sprain, it may be something more.
Anterolateral ankle impingement is a common yet often overlooked condition, frequently triggered by overuse and high-impact sports. In fact, 3% of ankle sprain cases may lead to anterolateral impingement. So what exactly is it?
In this article, we’ll detail everything you need to know about anterolateral ankle impingement, from causes to symptoms, potential treatments, and more.
Searching for a podiatry clinic in Northcote? Our team at the Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre offers experienced, targeted treatment and support for ankle pain. Reach out and book an appointment today.
What’s Actually Happening in Your Ankle?
Anterolateral ankle impingement is a type of overuse or inflammation injury in the ankle. Specifically, it involves the talus, a small bone at the front of the ankle, which is responsible for helping to transfer weight-bearing forces as the feet move.
When movement places too much pressure on this bone, inflammation, tearing, and other damage may occur. This is known as anterolateral ankle impingement.
In some cases, a bony spur may also develop at the front of the ankle joint, which may contribute to and exacerbate the condition.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
There are several potential causes of anterolateral ankle impingement, the most common being repeated ankle sprains. One study found that 40% of ankle sprains go on to develop chronic symptoms, emphasising that even a seemingly simple injury may become a more serious concern.
Likewise, activities that require high levels of dorsiflexion, the act of tilting your foot upwards, and closer towards your shin, may put greater strain on the area and increase your risk of developing the condition.
This includes those who participate in sports such as football, gymnastics, and dancing. Ankle sprains, in particular, have an 80% recurrence rate in high-risk sports, a rate that may be directly related to anterolateral ankle impingement.
Furthermore, people who wear unsupportive footwear or have flat feet may be putting additional pressure on their ankles, increasing their risk of developing an impingement.
Signs and Symptoms of Anterolateral Ankle Impingement
Identifying your symptoms early is an important part of managing anterolateral ankle impingement. Without prompt attention, the condition may progress and become increasingly difficult to manage.
With anterolateral ankle impingement, many people experience:
- Pain along the front of the ankle
- Weakness or ankle instability
- Reduced range of motion
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Stiffness
How is Anterolateral Ankle Impingement Addressed?
There are several ways anterolateral ankle impingement may be managed, depending on the severity of your concern and preferences. At the Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre, we tailor every treatment to suit your individual needs.
Potential options include:
1. Biomechanical Correction
At the Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre, our experienced podiatrists may conduct a thorough assessment of your gait and current condition in an effort to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Once assessed, they may be able to offer tailored biomechanical corrections designed to improve your movement technique and reduce pressure placed on the injured area.
Likewise, they may pair this with gentle exercises aimed at helping you rebuild strength and flexibility. This may help ease pain, improve your recovery, and reduce your risk of anterolateral ankle impingement recurring.
2. Bracing and Strapping
Depending on the severity of your condition, strapping your ankle may be recommended. In this case, our podiatrists will carefully brace and strap your ankle to help control movement and provide support.
This may help you move around more comfortably and reduce the risk of your condition worsening.
3. Orthotics
Orthotics are a common treatment option for these types of injuries and conditions. They are shoe inserts designed to help support better foot function and reduce pain. These may also help reduce your risk of anterolateral ankle impingement returning.
At the Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre, every orthotic is made in our clinic by a qualified orthotist. This helps us to fully customise your orthotics and avoid limitations of generic orthotics.
Caring for Anterolateral Ankle Impingement at Home
There are a few ways you may be able to manage anterolateral ankle impingement at home, primarily by using the RICE method. This stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate.
The first steps are rest and ice. This means trying to stay off your feet and avoiding activities that may further strain your injury. Apply ice to the painful area, wrapped in a towel to help protect the skin. Keep in mind that ice should only be held against the area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
Next, you’ll need to apply compression by wrapping the injury. It needs to be firm enough to provide support but not too tight that it cuts off blood flow.
Finally, you should elevate the injury. Prop your foot up on a pillow or stool if you can. This aims to help reduce swelling and pain.
While helpful, this treatment will not target the cause of your injury, and without care, your condition may still worsen. If you believe you have sustained an ankle injury, consider reaching out to a professional for support.
Aim to Get Back on Your Feet With the Right Care
Has your ankle been struggling to hold your weight? Maybe you’ve been experiencing constant aches and pains along the front of your foot. Anterolateral ankle impingement may be tiring and painful to try to manage on your own, but you don’t have to.
At the Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre, we take the time to understand what may be driving your pain and address it accordingly. For support that’s tailored to you, reach out to our team today.
