Ankle Impingement
Treatment Dubai
Ankle impingement is pain caused by soft tissue or bone being pinched inside the joint — classically a sharp, localised pain at the front of the ankle when you squat, lunge or push off (anterior impingement, common in footballers), or at the back of the ankle in positions of full pointe (posterior impingement, common in dancers and footballers who strike the ball hard).
Diagnosis first
Impingement is frequently mislabelled as a "sprain that won't heal." Careful clinical examination, supported by X-ray and MRI, identifies whether the culprit is scar tissue, an inflamed capsule, a bone spur, or an extra bone at the back of the ankle (os trigonum).
Treatment ladder
Many cases settle with targeted physiotherapy, activity modification, and where appropriate an image-guided injection — both to treat and to confirm the diagnosis. When symptoms persist, ankle arthroscopy removes the impinging tissue or bone through keyhole incisions. It is a day-case procedure at Emirates Hospital.
Recovery
Arthroscopic impingement surgery has one of the faster recoveries in ankle surgery: walking within days, return to running typically around six to eight weeks, and sport soon after, guided by symptoms and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to take the next step?
Consultations available in English, French and Arabic at two Emirates Hospital locations in Dubai.