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Chronic Ankle Pain - What could be the problem?
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The ankle is a very complex joint. There are actually many small joints in the region of the "ankle". One of which is the subtalar joint or "lower ankle joint". Around the ankle are many tendons that runs from the leg to the foot. These too can cause "ankle pain".
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A proper evaluation of ankle pain requires listening to the patient's symptoms and then performing an examination of all the joints, tendons and ligaments. Sometimes, Xrays or MRI scan may be necessary to assist in confirming a diagnosis.
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Treatment of ankle pain has advanced significantly. Many conditions which used to be less known and underdiagnosed can now be treated by minimally invasive surgery. The ankle can now be scoped (anterior and posterior ankle arthroscopy) from the front and also from the back. The tendons around the ankle can also be scoped (tenoscopic surgery). The subtalar joint can also be scoped (subtalar arthroscopy). Mini instruments have allowed us to treat many painful ankle conditions through "keyholes". In my personal experience, the success of such surgery in improving the function of a damaged "ankle" ranges from 85 to 95%.
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Ankle arthroscopy showing a "meniscoid lesion". This is a fibrous "scar" that appears after an ankle injury that can get trapped in the joint, causing pain. Arthroscopic removal results in excellent pain relief.
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