Ankle Impingement

General information 

  • Can be anterior or posterior impingement.
  • Bone spurs can form on the end of the tibia, on the talus, or both.

Symptoms and signs

  • Local pain, usually following repetitive microtrauma, infection.
  • Locking, giving way or catching at the ankle. 

Primary Care management

  • Analgesia and NSAIDs as appropriate.
  • Weight loss.
  • Steroid injection if appropriately trained.

Primary Care diagnostics

Ankle AP standing and lateral views, blood tests if inflammatory arthropathy suspected.

Who to refer

Refer to Tayside Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Service if no improvement 3 months

How to refer

SCI Gateway/Orthopaedics/Foot and Ankle.
Referral will be vetted by AHP and directed to most appropriate healthcare professional.

lnformation to include:
  • Duration and any cause of symptoms
  • BMI
  • Indicate site/spread of pain and if pain constant or intermittent, and/or waking at night
  • Indicate ROM and episodes of locking, effect on walking, running
  • Include treatment to date (injections/ physiotherapy/podiatry/orthotics)
  • XR results