Ankle Injuries and Disorders
Introduction
Your ankle bone and the ends of your two lower leg bones make up the ankle joint.
Your ligaments help steady and support it. Your muscles and tendons move it. Ankle
injuries and disorders are common problems.
Some ankle injuries and disorders may be treated
at home. Others require medical treatment.
Treatment depends on the problem. It may include
medicines, surgery or other treatments.
This reference summary explains ankle injuries and
disorders. It covers common injuries and disorders
that affect the ankle, as well as their treatment
options.
The Ankle
The ankle is a large joint. It lets the foot move up and down.
Three main bones come together to form the ankle joint. These include the:
• Tibia.
• Fibula.
• Talus.
The tibia is also called the shin bone. It is the large bone in the lower leg. It also forms
the inside part of the ankle. The fibula is the smaller bone in the lower leg that runs
along the tibia. It forms the outside part of the ankle. The talus is the bone above the
heel. It sits below the tibia and fibula. The subtalar joint sits below the ankle joint. It
allows the foot to move side-to-side. Many ligaments surround the ankle and subtalar
joints. Ligaments are tough tissues that connect bones. Ligaments steady and support
the joint.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/16/2017
opf00101
1
Muscles and tendons help the ankle move. Muscles are made of a stretchy elastic
tissue. Small fibers make up each muscle. Tendons are the tough cords of tissue. They
attach muscles to bones. They help your muscles move your bones by pushing or
pulling the bones in different ways.
Cartilage is a material that keeps the bones from rubbing against each other during
motion. It covers the ends of the bones in the ankle joint. Synovium is a little bag
containing a small amount of fluid. It is located between the two pieces of cartilage in a
joint. Cartilage and synovium work together for smooth, painless motion in any given
joint.
General Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injuries and disorders can vary widely and depend on the problem.
The most common symptom is pain in the ankle or foot.
Other common symptoms of ankle injuries and disorders are:
• Being unable to move your foot or toes.
• Bruising.
• Difficulty walking.
• Swelling or weakness in the joint.
Some ankle injuries and disorders may also cause:
• A deformed ankle.
• Feeling of a pop or tear.
• Knee pain.
• Numbness in the ankle, foot or toes.
• Redness or tenderness at the joint.
Ankle injuries and disorders can cause other symptoms as well. If you notice any of
these symptoms or other changes, talk to your health care provider.
Sprains
A sprain is a stretched or torn ligament. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at a
joint. There are many ligaments in the ankle that may be sprained. Many things can
cause a sprain. Falling, twisting or getting hit can force a joint out of its normal position.
This can cause ligaments around the joint to stretch or tear.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/16/2017
opf00101
2
Sprains can happen if people:
• Experience a sudden blow to a joint.
• Fall on the side of their foot.
• Twist the ankle.
• Walk or exercise on an uneven
surface.
Some people are at greater risk of getting a
sprain. Risk factors include:
• A history of sprains.
• Being overweight.
• Being in poor physical condition.
• Not properly warming up before being physically active.
Treatment of sprains depends on the severity of the injury. It usually involves:
• Resting the injured area.
• Icing the injured area.
• Wearing a bandage or device to compress the area.
• Using medicines.
To reduce swelling and pain in the first day or two, health
care providers usually recommend resting the injured area.
You may need to use crutches or a cane to get around. Put
the injured ankle up on a pillow when sitting. Ice should be
placed on the injured area for 20 minutes at a time. You
may be told to do this four to eight times each day.
Wearing a bandage or a device that binds the injured ankle
can also help reduce swelling and pain. Medicines, such as
aspirin and ibuprofen, can also help. Treatment for sprains
may later include exercise and physical therapy. Exercise
helps to prevent stiffness and to increase strength. Physical therapy helps make the
injured area stronger and more stable. Surgery may be needed if you have a torn
ligament or ruptured muscle. Your health care provider will tell you when you can start
to do normal activities, including sports. If you start too soon, you can injure the area
again.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/16/2017
opf00101
3
Fractures
A fracture happens when a bone in the body breaks. Fractures may affect the ankle
joint. Most often the tibia or fibula is broken in or near the ankle joint. But sometimes a
fracture can affect the talus.
Fractures can happen at the same time as sprains in the ankle. You can fracture the
ankle by:
• Flexing or extending the joint too far.
• Jumping from a high place and landing straight down on the joint.
• Rolling or twisting the ankle.
Some fractures are severe and need
surgery to reset them. Others can be
repaired without surgery. You may need to
keep the ankle in one position and not let it
move to promote healing. This is known as
immobilization. To help with this
immobilization, the ankle is put in a splint or
cast. Casts are sturdier than splints. They
are made of plaster or a synthetic material.
Your health care provider should take your cast off. He or she will use special
instruments. Do not remove your cast at home.
Sometimes, your bones will not be lined up properly. If so, your health care provider
will reposition the bones before putting your ankle in a splint or cast. You may need to
use crutches to get around while your ankle heals. This helps keep weight off the
bones while they are healing.
When the ankle is healed, the splint or cast will be removed. You will likely need
physical therapy for a few weeks or longer to help regain strength in the injured ankle.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition. It happens when the cartilage and the synovium in
joints are inflamed or destroyed. There are many types of arthritis that can affect the
ankle. Osteoarthritis is more common in older people. It happens due to repetitive use
of the joints. Repetitive use of the joints leads to wear and tear on the cartilage in the
joint. Grinding and crackling sounds come from affected joints when they move.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/16/2017
opf00101
4
Post-traumatic arthritis is caused by joint trauma. For example, trauma may happen
during a car accident or sports injury. Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of the
synovium and possible destruction of surrounding joint. The cause of rheumatoid
arthritis is not known. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system of the body attacks
the synovium of the joint, destroying it. Rheumatoid arthritis runs in some families.
There is no cure for most types of arthritis. But arthritis can be slowed and controlled.
Medicines can decrease inflammation in the body. Physical therapy may be used to
keep joints affected by arthritis in shape. Splints are commonly used to prevent, slow
down or make up for joint deformities. If other treatments are unsuccessful, surgery to
fuse or replace joints may stop deformation and increase use of the joint.
Summary
Your ankle bone and the ends of your two lower leg bones make up the ankle joint.
Your ligaments help steady and support it. Your muscles and tendons move it. Ankle
injuries and disorders are common problems.
Common ankle injuries and disorders include:
• Sprains, which are stretched or torn
ligaments.
• Fractures, which are broken bones.
• Arthritis, which happens when the cartilage
and the synovium in joints are inflamed or
destroyed.
Symptoms of ankle injuries and disorders can vary
widely and depend on the problem. The most
common symptom is pain in the ankle or foot. Other
common symptoms of ankle injuries and disorders
are:
• Being unable to move your foot or toes.
• Bruising.
• Difficulty walking.
• Swelling or weakness in the joint.
Some ankle injuries and disorders may be treated at home. Others require medical
treatment. Treatment depends on the problem. It may include medicines, surgery or
other treatments.
This document is for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional or a
recommendation for any particular treatment plan. Like any printed material, it may become out of date over time. It is important that you rely on the
advice of a doctor or a healthcare professional for your specific condition.
©1995-2017, The Patient Education Institute, Inc. www.X-Plain.com
Last reviewed: 02/16/2017
opf00101
5