Symptoms | Pain in the ankle joint

Symptoms

First, a distinction is made between acute and chronic pain. Both variants can have many different causes and therefore also express themselves in different ways. Injuries at the tendon transition and at the outer and inner ligaments often manifest themselves as punctually stabbing or pulling pain.

The complaints become significantly worse under stress. Patients are often unable to put weight on the affected foot. In addition to the pain caused by an ankle injury, other symptoms such as severe swelling and bruising occur.

Both symptoms can increase the pain as the structures are subjected to further pressure. In addition, the ankle joint is very sensitive to pressure and its movement is significantly restricted. Patients often adopt a relieving posture to protect themselves from pain.

Pain inside

Pain on the inside of the ankle joint can have various causes. One possibility is the classic torn ligament of the inner ligament, which can be caused by bending over, an impact or jumping movements in sports. A torn ligament manifests itself with pain, increasing swelling and possibly after some time a bruise also occurs.

The pain can be continuous or of a stabbing and throbbing character. The pain usually gets worse with renewed exertion, which is why patients take a relieving posture and avoid the occurrence with the affected foot.Depending on the severity of the ligament injury, conservative therapy with prolonged protection of the foot is possible or surgical treatment is necessary, in which the ruptured ligament must be sutured together again. Another ligament injury may be present at the inner syndesmosis.

The syndesmoses are certain connections between the lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula. These ligaments are actually very stable, but can be injured in severe trauma and can tear off, especially in the case of bone fractures. Furthermore, a fracture or bone splintering on the inside of the ankle joint can also cause pain.

Fractures can occur as a result of sports injuries or accidents. Since the ankle joint is often exposed to very high loads, fractures near the joint or even in the joint itself are usually treated surgically to prevent permanent instability during the healing phase. If the pain in the ankle joint tends to occur on the front side, it may be due to wear of the joint surfaces, in which case the pain radiates to the front.

However, an injury while playing soccer can also lead to an injury of the anterior ligaments. It can be a painful contusion, overstretching or even a torn ligament. Furthermore, an anterior impingement syndrome (entrapment) may also be present.

This is a blockage of the foot in its upward movement (dorsal extension). This movement is blocked by an upward growing ankle bone. Bone spurs can occur as a result of trauma and cause discomfort. The pain finally manifests itself especially under stress such as walking, running and jumping.