Posterior Ankle Impingement
What is Posterior Ankle Impingement?
Posterior Ankle Impingement is a spectrum of disorders that involve pain being experienced at the back of the ankle. [1] Typically the pain is due to a compressive irritation between bones and soft tissue structures in the back of the ankle. Therefore this condition is common in athletes who perform an excessive amount of plantarflexion (toes pointed downwards) such as soccer players or ballet dancers, since this movement mechanically compresses the structures in the back of the ankle. [1]
Posterior Ankle Impingement can often times be mistaken for an Achilles injury since pain is experienced in the same region as the insertional portion of the Achilles tendon. However one of the key distinguishing factors between these two conditions is the presence of significant pain during passive plantarflexion, since this is a key aggravating movement that is typically absent in Achilles conditions.
Although surgery can be an option to treat Posterior Ankle Impingement, it is only indicated if conservative treatment methods have not been effective. [2] In a recent study examining Posterior Ankle Impingement in professional soccer players, conservative non-surgical treatment was shown to be effective for 70% of the players. [2]
How can Physiotherapy treatment help?
Provide education and advice about posterior ankle impingement and promote strategies to reduce your pain and symptoms
Provide an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive assessment of your condition
Determine if there are any underlying biomechanical factors contributing to your pain.
Provide rehabilitative treatment including manual therapy, gentle stretches, proprioceptive and strengthening exercises.
Create an individualised exercise program to target muscular imbalances in the ankle, knee, and/or hip and improve stability in the ankle.
Taping to prevent aggravating positions of the ankle.
If you have any further questions regarding ankle injuries or if you believe you may benefit from physiotherapy, please give us a call at (02) 8411 2050. At Thornleigh Performance Physiotherapy, we can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment, to help you get back in action as soon as possible. We are conveniently located near Beecroft, Cherrybrook, Hornsby, Normanhurst, Pennant Hills, Waitara, Wahroonga, Westleigh, West Pennant Hills, and West Pymble.
References
Yasui Y, Hannon CP, Hurley E, Kennedy JG. Posterior ankle impingement syndrome: A systematic four-stage approach. World J Orthop. 2016;7(10):657-663. Published 2016 Oct 18. doi:10.5312/wjo.v7.i10.657
Kudaş S, Dönmez G, Işık Ç, Çelebi M, Çay N, Bozkurt M. Posterior ankle impingement syndrome in football players: Case series of 26 elite athletes. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2016;50(6):649-654. doi:10.1016/j.aott.2016.03.008