Cracking
Many sports such as handball, volleyball, basketball and the like are accompanied by fast and abrupt running and jumping movements. These movements put a lot of strain on the upper and lower ankle joint. Therefore these body structures can be injured quickly.
A sudden stabbing pain and a loud cracking sound can be an indication of a bone fracture. In order to determine a fracture, the affected person should consult a doctor. An X-ray image can then be used to confirm the diagnosis.
A cracking or crunching sound can also occur during everyday movements such as walking or squatting without a fracture being present.These noises can also be caused by a loosened piece of cartilage. In the context of a circulatory disorder or even arthrosis, smaller pieces of cartilage can become detached from the joint and fall into the gap between the joint surfaces involved. An injury to the tendons of the muscle responsible for flexing the big toe (Musculus flexor hallucis longus) can also cause a cracking sound. Occurring cracking noises should be examined by a doctor, because they can indicate various diseases.
Treatment
Since pain in the ankle joint can have different causes, there are therefore also different conservative and surgical therapeutic approaches. If it is an injury with overstretching of the ligaments or a strain due to twisting, it is often sufficient to spare the affected foot. The swelling can be reduced with cooling pads and by elevating the leg.
Depending on how severe the pain is, the doctor prescribes a certain period of rest so that the injury can initially heal at rest. Painkillers such as ibuprofen can be taken to relieve the pain. Subsequently, ankle bandages or ankle supports or even crutches may be necessary before the injured foot can be fully loaded again.
In the case of severe ligament injuries, such as a torn ligament, surgery may be necessary. During arthroscopy, the extent of the injury can be assessed and small tears can be treated directly. The tears are then sutured back together using appropriate instruments.
More severe torn ligaments can also be treated by replacing them with the patient’s own body material or artificial tendon material. If arthrosis causes pain, the joint surfaces are milled off in the same surgical procedure. The porous cartilage material is thus removed and replaced so that the pain is then significantly improved.
This procedure may be necessary more often in the case of arthrosis or the patient may decide to have the joint replaced completely. The implantation of an artificial ankle joint is used in cases of severe arthrosis or even complicated fractures, if the joint is otherwise no longer functional. This requires a precise diagnosis and consultation in which the patient is informed about all possible risks and complications. Ankle joint orthosis
