Painful condition of ankle happens due to abnormal contact between two boney surface or entrapment of soft tissue between contact surface during joint movement causing restriction and/or painful catching of movement. Ankle impingement is related to profession and activity which cause repetitive injury of ankle usually in soccer player, ballet dancer.  It can happen either at anterior part of ankle which is anterior ankle impingement. Anterior ankle impingement is either anterolateral ankle impingement commonly happens following post ankle sprain or anteromedial ankle impingement commonly known as footballer’s ankle. Impingement happening at posterior part of ankle is called posterior ankle impingement also known as dancer’s ankle.

• Chronic repetitive injury of the joint capsule and impaction of joint edges during extreme movement in soccer player, ballet dancer and other athletes involved in jumping and extreme ankle movement
• Incomplete healing after an ankle sprain
• Malunited ankle fracture with uneven joint edges
• Arthritic changes of ankle
• FHL Tendon injury

Pain around ankle depend on site of impingement at extreme of ankle movement makes it difficult to participate in sports activity. Difficulty in walking on uneven surfaces. Feeling of instability of ankle. You may also notice swelling on around ankle and stiffness.

If you are feeling pain repeatedly at the end of ankle movement or getting painful catch and sudden stop during activity you should visit a specialist Foot & Ankle surgeon.

Your doctor will try to understand your symptom and locate the pain generator by your description and careful cross questioning. He may ask you for history of any recent or old injury. He will also examine your foot to confirm the location of the pain generator and also for  any swelling and movement restriction.

Depending on the clinical finding he may ask you to undergo a specific set of x-rays of both ankle, especially in standing and in extreme of upward and downward movement. A CT or MRI scan may require to confirm the diagnosis and treatment planning.

Treatment depends upon the final diagnosis and is personalised to your individual needs depending on their profession. There could be either conservative or surgical.

• NSAIDs and cold packs to reduce pain and swelling
• Ankle brace or support in order to offload/relieve soft tissues as well as provide stability of the joint
• Physiotherapy- in order increase muscle strength, improve proprioception and range of motion. This can reduce instability and improve the condition clinically.
• Local steroid infiltration may be needed to relieve the symptoms

• Excision and removal of loose fragments, bony outgrowth or osteophyte
• Debridement and removal of thickened tissue and synovium causing impingement.
• Repairing of reconstruction of ligament instability.