FOOTBALLER’S ANKLE

There are two types of footballer’s ankle:

1. Bony footballer’s ankle: as the shin bone jars against the ankle bone, it reacts by trying to heal itself – producing a bone spur. This bony lump causes tendons, ligaments or other soft tissues to get trapped when your foot is pulled upwards (dorsiflexion).

      2. Soft tissue footballer’s ankle: soft tissue (tendons, ligaments or joint capsule) becomes pinched between the talus (ankle bone) and the tibia (leg bone). It can occur as a result of repetitive kicking or flexing, or after an ankle sprain – where scar tissue on a torn ligament makes it thicker.

Pain

Swelling

Stiffness

Reduced or painful ROM

Gait problems (difficulty in walking)

Balance problem

Physiotherapy is important in the rehabilitation for footballer’s ankle. 
Physiotherapy is a very effective way of treating footballer’s

ankle. There are a variety of treatment options and these will be tailored to suit your needs. Possible options include :

1. Exercise Programmes

• Dorsiflexior strengthening
• Ankle eversion strengthening
• Ankle inversion strengthening

2. Balance exercise

• Sports specific training (in this case, football specific)

3. Electrotherapy
4. Hydrotherapy
5. TapingPatients may also receive:

6. Ultrasound therapy

           to accelerate soft tissue healing

7. core strengthening exercises

Footballer's ankle, also known as anterior impingement syndrome, is a condition that affects the ankle joint. It is a common injury among athletes, particularly football players, hence the name. Footballer's ankle is caused by repetitive kicking and overuse of the ankle joint, which can result in inflammation, pain, and stiffness.