Footballer’s ankle – or anterior ankle impingement – causes pain in the front of your ankle, especially when you lift your toes upwards. It can be very debilitating, causing pain as you walk uphill or upstairs, run or play sports.
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How do you treat a footballer’s ankle?
The treatment for anterior impingement in the ankle can include physical therapy to help improve the range of motion and break down scar tissue, anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and swelling, and ultimately surgery to remove the tissue or bone that is causing the blockage.
How long does footballer’s ankle take to heal?
Generally, it takes four to six weeks for a footballer’s ankle to heal. If soft tissue or ligaments have been damaged, the injury may take longer to heal. You should keep weight off your healing foot as this will help it heal faster, and after around six weeks, you may be ready to start physical therapy.
How do you get footballer’s ankle?
How does footballer’s ankle happen? The most common cause of footballer’s ankle is direct trauma to the front of the ankle joint causing damage to the tendons and ligaments. This often occurs following a kick to the ankle during contact sports such as football.
What does footballer’s ankle feel like?
Symptoms Of Footballer’s Ankle
Some people describe a ‘clicking’ sensation in the ankle during movement. It is also common for the ankle to feel weaker and unable to weight bear at times. In many cases a bony lump appears at the front of the ankle.
How do I know if I have footballer’s ankle?
Diagnosing footballer’s ankle requires a careful physical and biomechanical examination, and advanced imaging to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays and CT scans are used to show bone damage and bone spurs, while MRI or ultrasound provide images of soft tissue damage and swelling.
How do I get my ankles to stop hurting?
Do
- rest and raise your ankle when you can.
- put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your ankle for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
- wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole.
- use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes.
- wrap a bandage around your ankle to support it.
How can I strengthen my ankles?
Sitting in a chair, raise your foot off the floor, and place a resistance band under the ball of your foot, holding the ends of the band with your hands. Slowly flex your ankle down as far as you can. Then slowly return your foot back to the starting position. Repeat 10 times on each foot.
Why is my ankle pain when I walk?
The most common causes include injury, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it. Usually, ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications.
Why is it called Footballers ankle?
This bone spur may then begin to impact on the soft tissue at the front of the ankle, causing inflammation and swelling. The condition is most common in athletes who repeatedly bend the ankle upward (dorsiflexion), such as footballers, hence the name.
Do you need surgery for ankle impingement?
Anteromedial impingement does not always require surgery, however, there are times when the bone spurs at the bottom of the tibia present a situation where surgery is recommended. When we discuss surgery, as we do not perform it, it is always best to bring in a surgical opinion.
Why does my ankle hurt in the front?
A common source of chronic ankle pain among athletes is anterior ankle impingement. This condition, sometimes called “footballer’s ankle,” causes pain in the front of the ankle joint. It’s caused by buildup of scar tissue or bone spurs, usually in response to an acute injury or chronic stress on the ankle.
How do footballers avoid ankles?
Prevent footballer’s ankle by stretching and warming up well before training, avoiding sudden increases in exercise intensity or duration, and taking care to reduce impacts to the ankle where possible. If you have footballer’s ankle, rest as much as you can.
How do I know if I have an ankle impingement?
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain on the front and/or outside of the ankle joint.
- A feeling of ankle instability.
- Decreased ankle range of motion when stretching your toes up toward your shin.
- Pain at the end-range of stretching your toes toward your shin.
- Tenderness at the front of the ankle when touched.
How long does ankle impingement take to heal?
It can take up to 12 weeks to fully recover from posterior ankle impingement – whether you have surgical or non-surgical treatment.
Why does my ankle hurt but there is no swelling?
The answer is that you likely have a high ankle sprain, which tends to make your ankle hurt but not cause swelling. High ankle sprains are also called syndesmotic ankle injuries. They affect the ligaments between your tibia and fibula, and these are found just above your ankle joint.
What exercise is good for ankle pain?
Ankle Rotations
Raise your foot about 20 inches off the floor. Then with your toe upward, rotate the foot to the left and then back to the right. Hold for 10 seconds then return to starting position. Repeat 20 times for each leg.
Do compression socks help ankles?
They can help improve blood flow from your legs to your heart. “Compression socks have also been shown to help decrease swelling and pain in the legs and ankles,” explains Sathish Mohan, M.D., a vascular specialist with Riverside Medical Group.
Do compression socks help with ankle pain?
Compression socks and stockings are designed for compression therapy. They apply gentle pressure to your legs and ankles, promoting blood flow from your legs to your heart. Compression socks can also reduce pain and swelling in your ankles and legs.
What is the best exercise for ankle?
6 Proven Exercises for Building Strong Feet and Ankles
- Toe pick-ups/curls. Place several small objects, like marbles or Monopoly pieces, on the floor in front of you.
- Bent-knee wall stretch.
- Negative calf raises.
- Towel tug.
- Ankle pump up and down.
- Foot roll.
What are weak ankles a symptom of?
Examples include sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. Another issue that causes weak ankles is chronic ankle instability, which develops after trauma to the ankle. There are also some health conditions that can cause the ankles to get weak. Diabetes and osteoarthritis are the most common ones.