Ankle arthralgia – colloquially called ankle pain – (synonyms: ankle pain; ICD-10 M25.57) occurs in the transition from the lower leg to the foot in the ankle joint.
In the general population, it often occurs in the context of injuries, but can also be the result of osteoarthritis (wear and tear) in the ankle joint. The most common are injuries of the ligamentous apparatus, which are summarized under the term ankle joint distortion (e.g. ligament stretching or ligament rupture) (mainly caused by sports accidents).
The ankle joint is the term used to describe the two main joints of the foot, which are composed of the following partial joints:
- Upper ankle joint (OSG; Articulatio talocruralis).
- Lower ankle joint (USG; articulatio talotarsalis)
- Anterior lower ankle joint (Articulatio talocalcaneonavicularis).
- Posterior lower ankle joint (Articulatio subtalaris).
Other components include joint capsules and a complex ligamentous apparatus.
The following types of movement are possible:
Upper Ankle Joint (OSG):
- Dorsiflexion (flexion in the direction of the dorsum of the foot) of the foot up to 20 °.
- Plantar flexion (flexion in the direction of the sole of the foot) of the foot up to 30°.
Lower Ankle Joint (USG):
- Supination (lifting the medial (towards the center) edge of the foot while lowering the lateral edge of the foot) up to 50°.
- Pronation (lifting of the lateral (located to the side) foot edge with simultaneous lowering of the medial foot edge) up to 30°.
- Inversion (supination and plantar flexion and adduction (bringing a body part to the body or limb axis) together).
- Eversion (pronation and dorsal extension and abduction (lateral displacement of a body part from the center of the body) together).
Diseases as well as injuries of the ankle joint are a frequent reason for a visit to the doctor in the accident surgery-orthopedic practice. The upper ankle joint (OSG) is affected much more often than the lower ankle joint (USG). Injuries to the OSG account for approximately 30-50% of all sports injuries.
Ankle pain can occur acutely, e.g. after accidents (twisting of the foot; twisting traumas most frequently lead to ligament injuries) or overloading of the joint in sports characterized by fast running and jumping movements (such as volleyball, soccer, handball). Rather rarely, ankle pain becomes chronic.
Ankle pain can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”).
Course and prognosis: Ankle pain manifests itself strongly during exertion such as prolonged standing, walking or turning of the foot. It can spread to the instep of the foot or the back of the foot or lower leg and even lead to an inability to walk.If chronic ligamentous instability of the ankle joint is present, it must be treated to prevent secondary diseases such as osteoarthritis.Ankle pain can be treated well with conservative or surgical measures.
