Mount Elizabeth Novena
Medical Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-49
Singapore 329563
Parkway East
Medical Centre (VC)
319 Joo Chiat Place, #04-08,
Singapore 427989
Farrer Park
Medical Centre
1 Farrer Park Station Road,
#15-05 Connexion,
Singapore 217562
What Does Your
Ankle Pain Mean?
At some point in our lives, we have likely experienced pain in and around our feet, especially our ankles, which have to withstand weight and force as we go about our daily activities. In fact, each time we stand, walk or run—with much smaller contact surface than our hip or knee, our ankle has to receive and counteract far more force.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur among people of all ages.
Most ankle sprains occur after an accidental twisting of the ankle joint, when ligaments supporting the ankle are placed under unusual stress, causing them to stretch and tear.
Types of Ankle Sprains
1
Eversion
occurs when the ankle rolls outward under excessive force
2
Inversion
occurs when you twist your foot upward and the ankle rolls inward.
An inversion ankle sprain is the more common of the two. However, eversion ankle sprains can likewise cause injury and chronic instability.
Causes & Risk Factors
Your foot can twist unexpectedly during activities such as:
- Dancing
- Falling
- Walking or exercising on an uneven surface
- High-impact sports requiring cutting actions or rolling and twisting of the foot, e.g. basketball, tennis, trail running, football and soccer
Symptoms
Depending on the degree of injury made to the ligaments, ankle sprains can range from mild to severe.
- Acute pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tender to touch
- With difficulty standing up
Ankle sprain is one of the leading causes of ankle pain.
If a serious ankle sprain is left untreated, it can potentially lead to chronic ankle pain, instability, and arthritis of the ankle.
If a serious ankle sprain is left untreated, it can potentially lead to chronic ankle pain, instability, and arthritis of the ankle.
Treat ankle sprain early and effectively to prevent chronic complications.
Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures, i.e. broken ankles, affect people of all ages. This means that one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint are broken.
The more bones that are broken in the joint, the more unstable the ankle becomes. Ligaments may be damaged as well.
Two joints are involved in ankle fractures: *
1
Ankle joint
where the tibia, fibula, and talus meet
2
Syndesmosis joint
the joint between the tibia and fibula, held together by ligaments
*Tibia: the shinbone – the main bone in the lower leg
Fibula: the calf bone – a second, thinner bone on the outer side of the lower leg
Talus: the anklebone – a small bone that connects to the shinbone and calf bone
Causes & Risk Factors
- Rolling your ankle
- Twisting your ankle
- Tripping or falling
- Strong impact during an accident
Symptoms
- Immediate, severe pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tender to touch
- Cannot put any weight on the injured foot
A fractured ankle can be a break in just one bone,
or several fractures that forces your ankle out of place, to the extent that you are unable to put weight on it for a few months.
or several fractures that forces your ankle out of place, to the extent that you are unable to put weight on it for a few months.
To seek prompt treatment, reach us at 9898 5280 for same-day or next-day consultation.
Ankle Dislocations
An ankle dislocation is a severe injury in which there is an abnormal separation between one or more of the bones of your ankle joint.
Ankle dislocations usually occur along with a break in one or more ankle bones. In some cases, an ankle dislocation can happen without a break in the ankle bones but instead, along with a severe ankle sprain.
Causes & Risk Factors
- Athletic activities
- Previous injury of ankle sprain or fracture
- Abnormal foot shape
- Underlying health condition with loose ligaments
Symptoms
- Immediate, severe pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Soreness to the touch
- Unable to put weight on your foot
- Immobility
- Deformed
- A bone that pokes through your skin
Ankle Cartilage Injuries
Our ankle joints are covered by articular cartilage: smooth, white tissue covering the ends of bones, to enable the bones to glide over each other with little friction.
If pieces of cartilage become loose in the ankle joint, this can cause the joint to weaken. When the cartilage is damaged, friction and compression within the joint can cause pain and immobility; without proper treatment, this can lead to early onset of ankle arthritis.
Causes & Risk Factors
- Acute or chronic injuries such as ankle sprains, dislocations, fractures, or instability
- Normal wear and tear
- Sports injuries
Symptoms
- Inflammation
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Limited mobility
- Locking or catching feeling
- Persistent, dull or aching pain deep within the joint after an ankle injury
Ankle Arthritis
Arthritis in the ankle is due to worn or damaged cartilage, and can affect your mobility and quality of life.
Types and Causes of Ankle Arthritis
1
Osteoarthritis
degenerative or "wear-and-tear" arthritis where the cartilage that cushions the ends of the ankle joint wears away gradually, resulting in bone rubbing on bone, and producing painful osteophytes (bone spurs).
2
Rheumatoid arthritis
a chronic inflammatory disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks itself. When advanced in stage, even standing and walking can become painful.
2
Post-traumatic arthritis
as a result of injury, even one that had happened a long time ago; an ankle sprain, fracture, or dislocation may damage cartilage and lead to premature deteriorating of the joint.
Symptoms
- Pain with motion
- Swelling and redness
- Tenderness when pressure is applied to the joint
- Difficulty in walking due to any of the above symptoms
Bone Marrow Lesions (BMLs)
Bone Marrow Lesions (BMLs), also known as “bone void,” are the areas with fluid build-up in the bone marrow just below the ankle joint cartilages (subchondral region).
Detected on Magnetic Resonance Imaging, BMLs reflect a healing response surrounding a microfracture within the subchondral bone.
Causes & Risk Factors
- Osteoarthritis
- Trauma
- Insufficiency fractures and stress fractures
BMLs can be a source of significant pain and functional impairment.
When left untreated, these microfractures in the subchondral bone may weaken the bone
and cause fractures of the joint cartilage, collapse of the articular surfaces in the joint and progression of arthritis.
and cause fractures of the joint cartilage, collapse of the articular surfaces in the joint and progression of arthritis.
Contact Us
At Axis Orthopaedic Clinic, supporting our patients in their recovery and regaining of mobility is our top priority.
We warmly welcome patients with ankle conditions from all walks of life.
Call us at 9898 5280 for same-day or next day consultation!
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Visit Us Today
Mount Elizabeth Novena
Medical Centre
38 Irrawaddy Road, #07-49
Singapore 329563
Parkway East
Medical Centre
319 Joo Chiat Place, #04-08,
Singapore 427989
Operating hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm,
Saturday: 8:30am - 12:30pm,
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed