Footballers Ankle / Anterior Ankle Impingement

What is Footballers' Ankle?

Footballers' ankle occurs when you get a bony growth at the front of the ankle where the joint capsule attaches. It can follow an injury where the ankle has been over stretched or over bent. The bony deposits cause inflammation in the joint capsule and tendons.

Symptoms of footballer's ankle

• Pain and tenderness when pressing in with the fingers over the front of the ankle joint.
• Pain when you bend your foot up or down.
• A band of pain across the front of the ankle joint when kicking a ball.
• A bony lump at the front of the ankle.

What can the athlete do?

• If the bony growth is large enough, nothing the athlete can do is likely to help and surgery may be required to remove it.
• See a sport injury professional who can advise on rehabilitation.
• If the injury is more recent or less severe then it may respond to a rehabilitation programme consisting of mobility, stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Wear a heat retainer or support.

What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?

• Apply sports massage techniques.
• Give you a steroid injection and recommend rest.
• Operate if it is really bad.
• Advise on strengthening exercises.
• X ray the ankle to confirm diagnosis.