Ankle pain

The ankle is the joint that connects the lower leg to the foot. The ankle joint actually consists of two separate joints that provide different movements of the ankle. Ankle pain can arise acutely, such as with an ankle sprain, or gradually, for example due to overuse.

Anatomy of the ankle

In medicine, when we talk about the ankle joint, we usually mean the upper ankle joint. However, in general the ankle consists of two joints: the upper ankle joint and the lower ankle joint.

Upper ankle joint
The upper ankle joint enables the up-and-down movement of the foot; in other words, pulling your toes toward you or pushing them away. This is a hinge joint and connects the tibia and fibula with the talus. The bumps on the left and right of the ankle are the ends of the tibia (on the inside) and the fibula (on the outside).

Lower ankle joint
The lower ankle joint enables tilting of the foot, that is, turning the sole inward (inversion) or outward (eversion). The joint consists of three articular surfaces: those of the talus, the heel bone, and a tarsal bone.

Ankle ligaments
The ankle joint is reinforced by ligaments, also called ligaments. Ligaments are strong, stiff connective tissue structures that are much less elastic than muscles. These ligaments provide extra stability to a joint. The ligaments of the ankle provide extra stability to the lower ankle joint and are important in preventing sprains. If we twist our ankle with too much force, the ankle ligaments can sometimes no longer absorb the impact. As a result, the ligaments can tear.

Muscles
The muscles around the ankle ensure that the ankle can move in different directions. The calf muscles, together with the Achilles tendon, mainly provide extension of the foot (walking on the toes). The muscles at the front of the lower leg provide flexion of the foot.

Pain? Check your symptoms!

If you have ankle pain, you probably want to know what kind of complaint or injury you have. To get a good picture of where your ankle pain is coming from, we advise you to take the online physical therapy check. You indicate where you have pain and then answer a number of questions about your symptoms.

Once you have answered the questions, your symptoms are compared with the most common ankle conditions within physical therapy. If necessary, you can visit a physical therapy clinic for professional help.

Conditions

Below you can read more about conditions that can cause ankle pain. Each condition is discussed in detail. You will find everything about the symptoms, causes, and possible treatments. When you take the online physical therapy check, your ankle symptoms are compared with all these conditions.