Can't Dorsiflex!! Ouch!

[qtpy1001]

I am a chronic ankle sprainer and now am suffering from a miserable problem! If I am sitting "indian style" and then try to get up, something in my ankle "locks." I am unable to dorsiflex my ankle, it feels like my achilles tendon will rip if I try too hard. The pain is severe and only localized to a small area in my achilles tendon. If I manipulate it long enough then it will sometimes "pop" or release and the pain is gone. It has gotten to the point that I can't even play on the ground with my kids for fear that it will catch and I will not be able to walk again until it releases. I'd love any input if anyone knows what this is or what might help!
Thanks!!
Katie

[alophysio]

Hi Katie,

It sounds as if you might have a loose body in your ankle/foot - could need a scan...have you seen a doctor about it yet or a Physical Therapist?

I am going to guess (and it is only a guess!) that because you have chronically sprained your ankles, you have some scar tissue or even some osteophystes (little bony scarring bits) that might be getting inside the joint gap when you sit "Indian style" which is, i am guessing, where your ankles tuck under your thighs/knees? Like how kids sit on the floor at school right? That sort of position will open up the outside of your ankle joints and something might slip inside there until you manipulate it enough to come out.

2 years is too long to leave that! A simple XRay or MRI would assist if you saw a doctor who agreed with something like i have said after examining you

Of course, it could be other things too...but often the simple reasons are the right ones

[physiobob]

I tend to agree with alophysio. Sounds like a loose body or even a subluxation of a tendon like the one of the peroneals. it is common to have a small additional piece of bone on the calcaneous (heal bone) which can fracture off. This is called an os trigonum and is a common issue with ballet dancers. It's removal is quick and simple with a rapid recovery. I agree you should have an investigation perhaps with the foot pointed (even if you can bring on the symptoms and then scan or x-ray). Should that show nothing then this may just be a chronic instability that could benefit from some surgical intervention to prevent the excessive movement. Do let us know how you get on.