What is it?
Anterior ankle impingement, also known as anterior impingement syndrome, is a musculoskeletal
condition where repetitive forces compress and damage the tissues at the front of the ankle, causing
pain and stiffness. It is a common injury that can affect people of all ages; however, it is usually seen in
athletes of sports involving repetitive or forceful upward movements of the ankle, such as sprinting,
landing from long jump, and uphill or downhill running.
What are the symptoms?
Pain at the front of the ankle is the primary symptom of anterior ankle impingement. This can be felt as
an intense, sharp pain occurring with ankle movements or a dull ache at the front of the ankle following
periods of exercise. Pain can also be felt when putting weight through the ankle while standing, walking,
or running. Night-time aching, stiffness, swelling, and reduced ankle flexibility are also common
symptoms of anterior ankle impingement.
How does it happen?
Anterior ankle impingement is caused by traumatic or repetitive compression to the structures at the
front of the ankle as the tibia and talus move towards each other during ankle movements. The tissues
that are affected become damaged and inflamed, causing the pain typical of ankle impingement.
Chronic inflammation can lead to further stiffness, exacerbating the impingement process.
The most common risk factor for ankle impingement is a previous ankle sprain that was not adequately
rehabilitated, as this can result in a stiff or unstable ankle. Another cause of impingement is the growth
of small osteophytes or bony spurs around the ankle joint that press against the nearby soft tissues.
These can be due to osteoarthritis or may grow as a reaction to impingement itself. Training errors,
muscle tightness, unsupportive footwear, and a hypermobile ankle have also been shown to be risk
factors for anterior ankle impingement.
How can physiotherapy at Cumberland Physio Parramatta help?
Depending on the cause, mild cases of anterior ankle impingement usually recover in one to two weeks
with rest and physiotherapy intervention. For more severe impingement, the ankle may require up to
six weeks of rest and rehabilitation to recover. In rare cases, surgical intervention will be required to
remove any physical causes of impingement, such as osteophytes, to restore impingement-free
movement of the ankle. Your physiotherapist Matthew West at Parramatta will first identify the cause of your ankle impingement and help you choose the best course of action to reduce your symptoms. They are able to advise you on the appropriate amount of rest and provide stretches and exercises to restore strength and flexibility to the ankle.
Mobilisation techniques and range of motion exercises can also reduce stiffness of the ankle, restoring
normal joint movement. Balance and proprioception exercises are included to prevent further ankle
injury. Balance exercises challenge the way your body reacts to outside forces. With this, your balance
will be improved, and you’ll have a more stable ankle.
Ideally, physiotherapy treatment is the first step before considering surgery. If surgery is required, your
physiotherapist can help you make a full recovery with a post-surgical rehabilitation program.
None of the information in this article is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always
see a medical professional for advice on your individual condition.