Anterior ankle impingement syndrome is a condition that develops once bone spurs form in the anterior aspect of the ankle joint. The bone spurs can either develop on the ends of the shin bone, on top of the ankle bone or on both. Once the foot is driven upwards, the bone spurs are pinched or compressed, thus resulting to pain over the front part of the ankle.
Who are at risk for anterior ankle impingement syndrome?
It is important to note that anterior ankle impingement syndrome is believed to be the result of repetitive micro trauma to the ankle, but there are also other possible causes of the condition including an ankle sprain.
It is prevalent among athletes and artists who engage in crafts that involves monotonous dorsiflexion of the ankle. Even those who play soccer might sustain blows from the ball and other players at the ankle that lead to the condition as well as ballet dancers, football players, gymnasts and runners.
What are the symptoms?
The usual symptom of anterior ankle impingement syndrome is pain on the front part of the ankle joint particularly when the foot is driven upwards towards the shin during dorsiflexion.
The area is often swollen and the bone spur can be felt occasionally over the anterior part of the ankle. It is important to note that the pain is often alleviated if the ankle is allowed to plantar flex.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis of the syndrome is made using an X-ray but other tests such as CT scan, MRI or ultrasound can be utilized to confirm a diagnosis and ensure that there are no other issues in the joint that might be responsible for triggering the pain.
Management
The commonly used treatment for anterior ankle impingement syndrome is focused on reducing the inflammation at the area of impingement. This is accompanied by rest, application of ice, oral anti-inflammatory medications, ankle bracing, heel wedges and even a cortisone shot.
An ankle brace might be considered if the individual had repeated ankle sprains. In some cases, orthotics might be prescribed to correct the alignment of the foot.
In case these stated measures are not effective, surgery might be considered to eliminate the bone spurs. In most cases, ankle arthroscopy is often used to manage the syndrome. The procedures involve removal of the bone spurs responsible for causing the impingement. For large-sized bone spurs, open debridement surgery might be recommended. The surgical procedure is performed carefully to ensure that there is no damage to the artery or deep peroneal nerve in the ankle region.