The Pain at the Back Of The Ankle

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Often, dancers are misdiagnosed with Achilles Tendinopathy when they experience pain behind their ankles. It is important to get a correct diagnosis since the Achilles Tendon is not always the problem.

The back of the ankle is often painful for dancers. Consequently, this post will help you identify which kind of pain you have, so you can eliminate it.

Your main focus should be on three things:

• For optimal treatment, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.
• It should not be tested repeatedly.
• Especially if you have tendinopathy, you should avoid aggressively stretching your ankle.

1. Diagnose accurately:

Ankle pain can occur for a variety of reasons, however, it is difficult to diagnose on your own. Your treatment will be guided by your diagnosis since each diagnosis requires a different treatment. You should seek the help of a health professional who is well versed in dancers' feet if you want to achieve the best results! To determine the best way to deal with your injury, you must learn about each of the different types of injuries.

Some examples may include:

• Impingement posteriorly,
• Os Trigonum
• Tendinopathy of the Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL)
• Tendinopathy of the posterior tibialis
• Tendinopathy of the Achilles
• A disease called Sever's
  

2. It shouldn't be tested repeatedly

Posterior impingements are especially relevant. Ankle pain that is continuously tested to see if it is still sore will persist for a very long time. The more you compress swollen tissues, the more inflamed they will become. Compression occurs as a result of inflamed tissues taking up more space. As it's often subconsciously done, I highly recommend taping the foot so that you can't test it. To get all the details on my three-day strategy for quickly settling pain, check out our Posterior Impingement Management Guide.

3. Ankles should not be stretched aggressively

It is common for dancers to repeatedly stretch out their ankles when they are experiencing pain in the back. Repeated stretching can actually worsen tendinopathies, especially if you have them. A large part of tendon rehab involves loading the tendon, but this must be done in a very specific, active, and graded manner, rather than passively stretching the tissues. Be sure to clarify any mobilization or stretching exercises that you are doing with your therapist, so they are aware of your specific condition. As a result, the rest of your rehabilitation may be undone.

Unsure what’s right for you? Talk to Dr. Arshia Roohian today . You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com/. Our offices are located in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.