Anterior (front) Impingement Anatomy
- Can be bony or soft tissue related
- Bony
- Periosteum on talar neck
- Soft Tissue
- Generalized synovitis or capsulitis
- Thickened and scarred joint capsule
- During ankle dorsiflexion – the tibia (shin bone) and talus (ankle bone) move towards one another. Thus, if there is excessive compressive forces the body can’t handle, then an impingement will occur.
- If too much compression or stress occurs at this site, it can lead to bone spurs.
How Does it Happen?
- Normally occurs when the ankle is in extreme dorsiflexion (toes pointed up) – often deep squats and landings.
- Can occur after trauma, infection, or rheumatologic degenerative pathologies
- After acute or recurrent inversion (ankle turned inwards) ankle sprains
- Often seen in ballet dancers or soccer players due to kicking ball
- Joint stiffness
- Joint swelling
- Bony abnormalities
- Muscle tightness or weakness
- Poor biomechanics
- Sudden increase in activity or excessive training
Symptoms of Anterior Ankle Impingement
- Dull pain in front of ankle at rest that may become sharp when ankle is in max dorsiflexion
- Pain with walking, squatting, stairs, lunges, running, landing
- Tender spot in front of ankle
- Chronic swelling in front of ankle
Posterior (back) Impingement Anatomy
- Can be bony or soft tissue related
- Bony
- Os Trigonum
- Excessive bone in ankle
- 10% of the population has this
- Often only present in one ankle
- Soft Tissue
- Flexor Hallucis Longus irritation
- Thickened posterior capsule
- Synovitis
- Calcific debris
- Normally occurs when the ankle is excessively plantarflexed (toes pointed down)
How Does it Happen?
- Occurs when someone goes into excessive or repetitive plantarflexion (up on tiptoes)
- Often seen in dancers, ice skaters, or gymnasts
- Joint stiffness
- Joint swelling
- Bony abnormalities
- Muscle tightness or weakness
- Poor biomechanics
- Sudden increase in activity or excessive training
Symptoms of Posterior Ankle Impingement
- Sharp pain in the back of the ankle with activities involving excessive or repetitive plantar flexion
- Dull/achy pain at rest
- Pain when pushing off
Twin Cities Ankle Impingement Specialists
If you are experiencing any symptoms of Ankle Impingement please contact us today to set up your appointment with a Minnesota physical therapist. We have physical therapy clinics located in Minneapolis and Edina.