Ankle popping

[wellzee]

Hi. I'm only 14, and i am experiencing some ankle problems in my right ankle.
It just randomly clicks/pops when i move it around, and i the only injuries it has ever obtained is a twisted ankle. There is no pain apart from when it clicks, but there is no pain after or before then. Would anybody be able to give me some advice to get rid of the clicking, or what the problem may be?

Thanks
Alex

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[naveenedin]

hi
it looks like mild ligament instability. when did u first noticed, if its chronic u can try calf stregthening, and more of balancing exercises. like wooble board training.

[physioro]

Clicking etc isn't bad unless it's painful....but I agree it sounds like mild instability so try some strengthening of your calf muscles and peroneals/evertors

[linbin]

hi guys
i think we should also check for the type of foot wear one uses,his activities and relation of ankle movements to it,positions adopted eg where the ligaments are stretched.it there was a lig injury before that may interfere with proprioception and alter the motor control of ankle joint.so clicking can occur

[wellzee]

well, it has begun to get painful, and i do quite a lot of sports e.g football, rubgy, mountain biking, etc...

[linbin]

hi wellzee
now where exactly you are having pain,stability,irritability,nature and severity of pain.is there ant history of ankle twisting or any other sort of ankle injury?would you please explain the activities you does usually in 24hrs.

[wellzee]

it is kind of in-line with the ankle bit tht sticks out slightly. and i go mountain biking almost everyday afterschool and weekends, i play football and sometimes play rugby in school

[alophysio]

Have you seen a physio? Done exercises?

It could also be stiff in the superior tib/fib joint...

I have also had patients where the pelvis was dysfunctional causing a perpetuation of the pain.

Contact the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists to find a physio near you...

[wellzee]

i haven't seen a physiopherapist yet, but i am hoping to in the very near future.

thanks to everyone for the advice,
Alex

[physiobob]

Have you seen a physio? Done exercises?

Contact the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists to find a physio near you...

I have to agree here. Everyone is speculating. Many people have ankles that click and 'pop' when moved about. Be sure you don't just get in the habit of doing it to make it click or it might become sensitive.

Another potential reason is just movement of the peroneal tendons around the outside of your ankle. This is no major concern at age 14 really. It is interesting you say you mountain bike. I too do this regularly and can you advise if you are using clips (pedals with clips)? If so check you have some movement in them. Otherwise fixing the foot to rigidly to the pedal can make the ankle move about more and can potentially lead to some laxity and clicking.

But just to say again - see your local Sport's Physio - perhaps one with an interest in mountain biking

p.s. I have a specialized stump jumper and an XC comp. How about you?

[wellzee]

im not sure whether it is becoming a habit or not, but it is usaully when i sit in position, it feels locked and when i put it back into the normal position, it clicks.
I dont really use clips for mountain biking, due to the type I do (downhill).
Could it be my ankle is straining form bad landings and crashes i have had in the recent past becuase i have crashed alot? (i didnt seem to hurt my ankle at the crashes)

p.s i ride a norco atomik

[physiobob]

OK, cool. Sounds like it might be the joint line then. The rapid pumping of downhill is on the ankle a bit like the arm pump on the triceps. And at that time you body will be trying to fix you ankles to keep you connected to the bike. I think maybe some simple mobilizations of the ankle joint in different ranges of movement might do the trick. Try to get into your local sport's PT.

p.s. Haven't down much downhill, but my brother does a lot and is about to get a new Demo 7 or 8. Pretty cool for someone close to 40!

[wellzee]

i will check with* my dad to see when i can get an appointment.
Thanks
Alex

p.s do either of you race mtb (XC/downhill)?

[wellzee]

i have also noticed in the last few days that there is a pain in the the back of my ankle. Could that be anything to do with the ankle clicking?

[physiobob]

p.s do either of you race mtb (XC/downhill)?

My brother does but not yet on downhill only on x-country and 24 hr races. I am now days unfortunately a bit busy to train for racing but used to be a factory sponsored BMXer back in the day..... now that's a long time ago... think of the movie BMX bandits

Unfortunately to give you much more input on the ankle one would really need to see it. But the best you can do to assist the therapist is keep a type of diary that says when it clicks, when it is painful and the exact movements/positions when you feel it. Try to work out if you feel the click related to the pain or an additional issue. All this will make for a better assessment and plan. Best of luck

[wellzee]

Me and my dad are going to see one soon, thanks for all the help (to everyone tht has commented)

I tried BMXing but it hurt my back so i gave up