Anterior ankle impingement is a common clinical condition characterized by chronic anterior ankle pain that is exacerbated on dorsiflexion. Additional symptoms include instability; limited ankle motion; and pain with squatting, sprinting, stair climbing, and hill climbing. Diagnosis is typically confirmed with plain radiographs. Nonsurgical management includes physical therapy, strengthening exercises, activity modification, bracing, and anti-inflammatory medication. Although arthroscopic treatment is sufficient in some patients, most require an open approach to address related pathology. We advocate aggressive range of motion as well as weight bearing postoperatively. Further study is needed to confirm current understanding of anterior ankle impingement and to better define treatment options and prevention strategies.
From the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (Dr. Reach, Dr. Toy, Mr. Perez, and Dr. Talusan), and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford, CT (Dr. Milewski).
Dr. Milewski or an immediate family member serves as a board member, owner, officer, or committee member of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. Dr. Reach or an immediate family member has received royalties from Carticept and Accelerated Orthopedic Technologies; is a member of a speakers’ bureau or has made paid presentations on behalf of and serves as a paid consultant to Carticept, Acumed, Wright Medical Technology, Integra LifeSciences, SonoSite, Accelerated Orthopedic Technologies, Rivendell Reader, Orchid Orthopedic Solutions, Gerson Lehrman Group, Ricchiazzi LLC (Guilford, CT), WellPoint, Tensigrity, Continuum, Stryker, Orthofix, Smith & Nephew, and Fujifilm USA; has stock or stock options held in Accelerated Orthopedic Technologies and Tensigrity; and has received research or institutional support from Accelerated Orthopaedic Technologies, Orthofix, Orchid Orthopedic Solutions, Ricchiazzi LLC (Guilford, CT), and Carticept. None of the following authors or any immediate family member has received anything of value from or has stock or stock options held in a commercial company or institution related directly or indirectly to the subject of this chapter: Dr. Talusan, Dr. Toy, and Mr. Perez.
