COMMON ANKLE INJURIES

SYNDESMOSIS INJURY (HIGH ANKLE SPRAINS)

A syndesmotic ankle sprain is an injury to one or more of the ligaments comprising the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis; it is often referred to as a “high ankle sprain.” Compared with the more common lateral ankle sprain, the high ankle sprain causes pain more proximally, just above the ankle joint.

Our ankles connect the leg bones to the foot bones. There is an upper ankle and a lower ankle. The upper ankle is the tibia and fibula. In between the upper ankle and lower ankle is the talus, which fits into the arch of the other two bones.

Ligaments are tissues made up of fibers (threads) that connect bones to other bones.

Symptoms:

• Some swelling.
• Inability to bear weight on the injury, making actions like climbing stairs difficult.
• Inability to walk on your toes.
• Bruising that starts days after the injury.

Calcaneofibular Ligament / Anterior Talofibular Ligament Injuries

Isolated calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injuries are rare. CFL injuries are often described in the lateral ankle compartment, specifically associated with the anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFL); however, the CFL injuries have unique characteristics which can impact long term function, such as mobility and strength.

Rupture of the ATFL occurs as an isolated injury in approximately 2/3 of all ankle injuries.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is a painful condition affecting the Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. In most cases, Achilles tendinopathy is a type of overuse injury and is more common in younger people. Professional and weekend athletes can suffer from Achilles tendinopathy, but it’s also a common overuse injury in people not involved in sport.

Symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy include:

• pain in the back of the heel
• difficulty walking – sometimes the pain makes walking impossible
• swelling, tenderness and warmth of the Achilles tendon.

Plantarfasciopathy

Plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves inflammation of a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of each foot and connects the heel bone to the toes, known as the plantar fascia.

Plantar fasciitis commonly causes stabbing pain that often occurs with your first steps in the morning. As you get up and move, the pain normally decreases, but it might return after long periods of standing or when you stand up after sitting.

Symptoms:

• aching or burning on the sole of your foot
• swelling in your heel

The pain is often worse:

• in the morning, as you take your first steps
• after prolonged standing or sitting
• after intense activity