| Ankle impingement is a condition whereby the | | | | An acute ankle sprain which precedes |
| patient suffers from a restriction in their ankle | | | | impingement is commonly precipitated by a |
| movement due either to a bony or soft tissue | | | | person stepping into a hole or on to something |
| problem. The typical causes of this condition are | | | | uneven, forcing the foot inwards and downwards |
| usually irritation of the capsule or synovial | | | | with the body weight on it. Impingent can present |
| membrane of the ankle secondary to a single or | | | | as anterior (front of ankle), posterior (back) or as |
| a repeated series of accidents or incidents. Ankle | | | | a problem with the tibial and fibular interconnection |
| sprains, especially if repetitive, can lead to chronic | | | | just above the ankle. Patients with anterior |
| pain and impingement syndromes. This gives the | | | | impingement report that the front of the ankle |
| patient continual pain on weightbearing and limits | | | | joint feels blocked as they try and pull the foot |
| their mobility and sporting activities. Estimates | | | | up. If the ankle is dorsiflexed, especially with some |
| vary but 10% of people suffering ankle sprains | | | | force as in lunging forward whilst standing on the |
| may develop some degree of impingement. | | | | foot, this may point to this diagnosis if painful. |