Pain in the ankle joint causes, symptoms, therapy

The ankle joint consists of the upper (OSG) and lower ankle joint (USG). The bones involved are mainly held together by ligaments and are additionally attached by the tendons of the muscles that act on the ankle joint. Pain in the ankle joint can therefore originate from the bones, the ligaments or the muscles. Depending on the exact localization (outer ankle or inner ankle), type (stabbing or dull), origin (sudden or slow) and other factors such as swelling or redness, different causes for pain in the ankle joint are likely.

Causes

Pain in the ankle joint can originate from the bone, ligaments or muscle tendons. In many cases, the cause is an accident, but inflammatory or degenerative causes are also possible. 1. bending over outwards: If the foot bends over outwards, doctors call this supination trauma.

When the foot bends outwards, the outer ligament of the ankle joint, the lateral collateral ligament, is stretched and can possibly tear. The outer ligament actually consists of three different ligaments (Lig. fibulotalare anterius, Lig.

fibulotalare posterius, Lig. fibulocalcaneare), but not all ligaments of the outer ankle are injured, especially in the case of a minor injury caused by an outward twist. In severe injuries, a part of the outer ankle may tear off, which corresponds to a Weber A fracture.

2. turning over inwards: When folding inwards, the inner ligament of the ankle joint is stretched and can possibly tear. The inner ligament is also called the deltoid ligament and, like the outer ligament, consists of several parts that extend from the inner ankle to the sole of the foot. Depending on the position of the foot when it is bent inwards, the inner ankle can break.

3. fall from a great height: If you land on your feet after a fall from a great height, the entire force must first be absorbed by the heels and the ankle joint, usually resulting in a fracture of the heel bone on both sides. Mostly affected are high-risk athletes such as parachutists or climbers. However, a fracture of the heel bone can also occur due to an unfavorable impact after a jump from a relatively low height.

4th injury during sport: Supination trauma is the most common sports injury. Particularly often affected are athletes who have to change direction quickly: footballers, volleyball players and other ball sportsmen. Mountaineers, hikers and joggers have an increased risk of twisting the ankle joint inwards because they often walk on uneven ground.

5th arthrosis: Arthrosis refers to a wear and tear of the joint that exceeds the level of wear and tear that is normal for the age group. Reasons for arthrosis of the ankle joint can be overweight, incorrect positioning or loading of the ankle joint. Arthrosis of the ankle joint is a frequent late consequence of injuries to this joint (frequent bending, fracture).

The flake fracture describes a shearing of the joint cartilage due to an injury, in many cases, arthrosis of the ankle joint develops later. 6th gout attack: A gout attack affects the ankle joint in 14% of cases and causes very severe pain, which usually occurs suddenly during the night. The joint swells, becomes hot and discolors reddish to bluish.

Even the slightest touch can be painful in a gout attack. In the morning the haunting is usually over again. 6th gout attack: A gout attack affects the ankle joint in 14% of cases and causes very severe pain, which usually occurs suddenly at night.

The joint swells, becomes hot and discolors reddish to bluish. Even the slightest touch can be painful in a gout attack. In the morning the haunting is usually over again.

7th Weber fracture: Fractures of the ankle joint are the most common fractures of the lower extremity and are classified according to Weber. There are Weber-A, Weber-B and Weber-C fractures. In a Weber A fracture, the outer ankle is broken below the joint gap, the syndesmosis (ligament adhesion between the tibia and fibula) is intact.

A Weber-A fracture can be accompanied by an injury to the inner ankle. In a Weber B fracture, the outer ankle is slightly higher, namely broken at the level of the ligament adhesion, and the inner ankle may also be affected. The syndesmosis can, but does not have to be, also injured.

The Weber C-fracture describes a fracture of the fibula with injury to the syndesmosis. In many cases of a Weber C fracture, the rear part of the tibia also tears out (Volkamm triangle). 8. tendons: The tendons of the deep calf muscles, which are responsible for turning the foot inwards and bending the ankle joint towards the sole of the foot, run past the inner ankle.

The tendons of the long fibularis muscle and the brevis fibularis muscle run behind the outer ankle.These muscles are responsible for turning the foot outwards and for bending the ankle joint towards the sole of the foot. Each of these muscle tendons is surrounded by a tendon sheath on its way around the inner or outer ankle to protect it from mechanical overload. Nevertheless, overloading or incorrect strain (for example, incorrect footwear when jogging) can lead to painful tendon sheath inflammation.

9. incorrect loading: Normally, the bones and tendons of the ankle joint are precisely coordinated to allow for optimal mobility. If a malposition or incorrect posture in the hip, knee or ankle joint causes the joint axes to deviate from the norm, incorrect loading is the result. Overweight can also lead to such incorrect loading.

Permanent incorrect loading of the ankle joint causes pain, for example due to tendosynovitis, cartilage abrasion or arthrosis. 8. tendons: The tendons of the deep calf muscles run past the inner ankle, which are responsible for turning the foot inwards and bending the ankle joint towards the sole of the foot. The tendons of the long fibularis muscle and the brevis fibularis muscle run behind the outer ankle.

These muscles are responsible for turning the foot outwards and for flexion in the ankle joint towards the sole of the foot. Each of these muscle tendons is surrounded by a tendon sheath on its way around the inner or outer ankle to protect it from mechanical overload. Nevertheless, overloading or incorrect strain (for example, incorrect footwear when jogging) can lead to painful tendon sheath inflammation.

9. incorrect loading: Normally, the bones and tendons of the ankle joint are precisely coordinated to allow for optimal mobility. If a malposition or incorrect posture in the hip, knee or ankle joint causes the joint axes to deviate from the norm, incorrect loading is the result. Overweight can also lead to such incorrect loading. Permanent incorrect loading of the ankle joint causes pain, for example due to tendosynovitis, cartilage abrasion or arthrosis.