Ankle tendonitis

A tendonitis in the ankle indicates inflammation of a tendon, the transition between muscle and bone. Excessive movements of the foot lead to small tears in the tendon. These small tears result in local pain and other inflammatory symptoms. Because tendons are poorly supplied with blood vessels, recovery from a tendonitis is slow.

An example of a tendon in the ankle that is often involved in tendonitis is the tendon of the peroneal muscle.

How does a tendonitis in the ankle arise?

As in many other joint locations in the body, a tendonitis of the ankle is usually the result of overuse. The tendon of the muscle becomes overloaded due to too many repetitions or too great a tensile force. A tendonitis of the ankle can also develop when someone sprains the ankle and continues to walk (for a long time) with an unstable ankle.

It is often seen in sports such as running, especially on uneven ground, and gymnastics. Other risk factors are poor footwear, incorrect training build-up and any alignment abnormalities of the ankle or foot.

How to recognise a tendonitis in the ankle?

A characteristic of a tendonitis in the ankle is a dull and sometimes stabbing ankle pain. This gets worse when the foot is loaded or when pressing on the painful tendon. A swelling may be visible on the outside of the ankle, possibly accompanied by local warmth or redness.

Ankle mobility may be reduced due to pain and swelling. Trying to stand on tiptoes will further aggravate the pain.

How is a tendonitis in the ankle diagnosed?

The GP or physiotherapist will be able to establish the symptoms well during physical examination, possibly supplemented with a number of specific tests.

If additional examination is necessary, an ultrasound scan is the best way to further map the injury. If this still provides insufficient information, an MRI scan can be used.

How is a tendonitis in the ankle treated?

As described, a tendonitis in the ankle is the result of an overuse of the ankle. The first treatment goal is therefore to reduce the load. Taking graded rest and icing the painful ankle contributes positively to this.

It is also important to investigate the underlying cause of the overuse. If this turns out to be an unstable ankle, stabilising the ankle with exercise therapy is an important intervention. It is advisable to enlist the help of a physiotherapist for this. They can also apply treatment options such as massage, frictions, shockwave, dry needling and taping.