Pediatric ankle impingement

What is a pediatric ankle impingement?

Pediatric ankle impingement occurs when the bones that form the ankle do not fit together correctly. If the ankle bones do not fit together, the hinge joint in the ankle can become damaged over time. This is because the bones hit each other in the wrong place, causing damage each time the ankle is used.

Ankle impingement is most common in the front of the ankle bone, but it can happen in the back, too.

What are the signs and symptoms of a pediatric ankle impingement?

Symptoms of ankle impingement include:

• Aching pain in the ankle

• Pain that gets worse with running and jumping

• Pain that is located specifically in the front of the ankle

• Pain when moving the ankle

• Stabbing pain in the ankle

What are the causes of a pediatric ankle impingement?

Ankle impingement can occur after another ankle injury, such as a sprained or broken ankle. Other causes of ankle impingement can be scar tissue or a bone spur that forms on the bone.