Lateral Gutter Impingement Ankle

Ankle impingement can occur after traumatic ankle sprains or even fractures.

Lateral gutter impingement ankle.

The impingement process begins when an inversion sprain tears the anterior talofibular and or the calcaneofibular ligament. Impingement after tar can be a source of pain and decreased patient satisfaction which in turn results in poor outcomes 1impingement is of an unknown complex etiology and is likely multifactorial. Additionally eliciting pain with range of motion of the ankle joint in the sagittal and coronal planes may help localize the area of impingement. However inadequate immobilization and rehabilitation may lead to chronic inflammation in the ligament resulting in formation of scar tissue.

Typically the capsule and synovial lining of the ankle joint get inflamed and can develop scar tissue in either the anteromedial gutter or anterolateral gutter between the ankle bones. Anterolateral ankle impingement has been known under the term anterolateral meniscoid lesion which is the result of synovitis in the anterolateral gutter. Frequent ankle sprains calf sprain contractures planter foot pain toe curling. Anterolateral impingement syndrome of the ankle is caused by entrapment of the hypertrophic soft tissue in the lateral gutter.

Symptoms of focal gutter pain usually present three to six months following implantation as the patient increases activity. The pain is localized upon palpation of the medial and lateral gutters. Epidemiology it is an uncommon cause of chronic lateral ankle pain 6 typically seen in athletes 3 5.