Evidenced-Based Clinical Review: Laterally-Based Ankle and Hindfoot Pain

 Joseph N. Daniel, DO, Clinical Associate, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, Foot and Ankle Services, Rothman Institute, 925 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: 215.995.1500; Fax: 609.677.7000; Email: Joe.Daniel@RothmanInstitute.com

INTRODUCTION/EPIDEMIOLOGY

Of the approximately one million acute ankle injuries evaluated in primary care offices annually, an estimated 85 percent are sprains of the ankle lateral ligament complex.1,2 Despite this, clinicians must look for other injuries that present similarly to ankle sprains due to the risk of misdiagnosis and improper management.2-6 This review presents an evidence-based approach to the differential diagnosis, physical examination, and basic treatment of the patient with laterally-based ankle and hindfoot pain.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Though broad, the differential diagnosis of laterally-based ankle and hindfoot pain can be grouped into somatic dysfunction, fractures, ligamentous injuries, tendon injuries, osteochondral lesions, and nerve lesions (Table 1, Figure 1). This differential diagnosis can be narrowed through the process of assessing the patient’s history and mechanism of injury, carefully examining the patient for signs and symptoms of somatic dysfunction, and selectively utilizing provocative tests and diagnostic modalities.

 

HISTORY AND MECHANISM OF INJURY

A detailed clinical history of laterally-based ankle and hindfoot pain should include the specifics of the onset, mechanism, and acute or chronic nature of the injury.

In acute injuries, ankle inversion tends to produce lateral ankle ligament complex sprains and peroneal tendon injuries.1,4,7,8 Rotational forces acting through the ankle can result in fractures of the lateral malleolus,9 lateral process of the talus, and proximal fifth metatarsal.10 Soft tissue and chondral injuries such as syndesmotic ligament sprains,7 peroneal tendon injuries,5 and chondral lesions of the ankle and subtalar joints11 can also arise from forces acting during ankle rotation. Axial loading through the lateral forefoot is the mechanism of action which tends to result in fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal,10 cuboid,12 and anterior calcaneal process.3 Pain in this area without a specific mechanism may indicate the presence of underlying somatic dysfunction.

In cases of chronic injury, symptoms may be particular to a specific foot posture or activity. The duration and intensity of chronic injury symptoms often transitions from intermittent to constant and from tolerable to intolerable. Chronic

Fracture

1. Lateral malleolus

2. Lateral process of talus

3. Calcaneal tuberocity

4. Anterior process of calcaneus

5. Cuboid

6. Proximal fifth metatarsal

Anteroposterior View

16

1

Ankle Ligament Injury

1. Anterior talofibular

2. Calcaneofibular

3. Posterior talofibular

4. Syndesmosis

Lateral View

10

13

16

15

1

14

2

Peroneal Tendon Injury

1. Tendonitis/Intrasubstance tear

2. Subluxation/Dislocation

11,

12

10

13

7

Chondral/Osteochondral Injury

1. Anterolateral talar dome

2. Subtalar joint

9

2

8

Nerve Injury

1. Sural neuritis

2. Superficial peroneal neuritis

3

4

5

6

Figure 1: Anatomical locations of the injuries comprising the differential diagnosis of laterally-based ankle and hindfoot pain.

pathologies presenting this way may include calcaneal stress fractures,13 peroneal tendonitis, peroneal tendon subluxation or dislocation,4,5,8 ankle or subtalar osteochondral lesions,11 and superficial peroneal or sural neuritis.14

 

CLINICAL EVALUATION

Examination of the lower extremities should proceed from inspection, to palpation, then ROM, and provocative tests. Side to side comparison of the limbs can aid in the assessment of changes in tissue texture, asymmetry, restrictions to motion, and tenderness to palpation. Table 1 lists specific provocative maneuvers useful in the evaluation of laterally-based ankle and hindfoot pain.

Fractures are typically tender to direct palpation and cause substantial local edema. Specific foci for palpation include the lateral malleolus,15 lateral process of the talus,6 tuberocity and anterior process of the calcaneus, the cuboid, and the proximal fifth metatarsal.3,13

Chondral and osteochondral injuries may result in tenderness to palpation along the joint line and can possibly produce a clicking or locking sensation of the joint when the patient performs ROM.16,17 Anterolateral talar dome lesions may be indicated when tenderness is present along the anterolateral ankle1 while tenderness over the sinus tarsi may indicate injury within the subtalar joint.11

Lateral ankle ligament sprains may also exhibit tenderness to direct palpation. A concomitant positive anterior drawer test (Figure 2) indicates ankle joint instability from high grade ligament disruption.1 Pain immediately superior to the ankle joint during a squeeze test (Figure 3) can signify a syndesmotic injury.18,19

If palpation along the peroneal tendons elicits pain, peroneal tendon inflammation or a peroneal tendon tear may be present.8 Subluxation or dislocation of the peroneal tendons is present when the tendons visibly displace around the posterior margin of the lateral malleolus as the foot is dorsiflexed and everted, then reduce as the foot is plantar flexed and supinated (Figure 4).20

Nerve injuries can be evaluated through assessing atrophy of the extensor digitorum brevis (indicating superficial peroneal neuritis, or SPN), anhidrosis, vasomotor paralysis, pain, and lost or diminished sensation.21 Tinel’s sign may also indicate SPN or Sural nerve injuries if it is present along the anterolateral or posterolateral ankle, respectively.21

DIAGNOSTICS

Low-grade lateral ankle ligament complex sprains do not always require imaging, however, radiographs are often unnecessarily ordered for this injury.22 The Ottawa ankle rules were developed to inform clinicians of when radiographs are indicated to rule out ankle and foot fractures in acute injury.7,23,24 Although they address medial ankle and midfoot pain as well, the Ottawa ankle rules state that radiographs are indicated if there is pain along the distal aspect of the fibula or proximal fifth metatarsal, if the patient is unable to bear weight for four steps immediately after the injury and during a clinical examination, and/or if pain and swelling are present about the ankle.7,24

As with plain radiographs, the use of CT, MRI, and nerve conduction studies is based upon the clinical findings. Table 1 lists the diagnostic modalities appropriate for each item in the differential diagnosis.

TREATMENT

Minor lateral ligament complex or ankle syndesmosis sprains in an otherwise clinically stable ankle can be initially treated without further work up.25 The initial management consists of PRICE treatment in conjunction with oral or topical NSAIDs for 3-7 days.26 Crutches can be used during times of substantial pain, but early mobilization, functional rehabilitation, and weight-bearing to tolerance are known to prevent chronic instability and tend to hasten return to work.1,25,27

Functional rehabilitation exercises include range of motion therapies with Achilles tendon stretching, muscle strengthening, and proprioceptive training.1,7,25 Osteopathic manipulative therapies such as muscle energy and counterstrain techniques can be incorporated to increase ROM while decreasing pain and edema, as previously shown in patients with first-degree ankle sprains.28 A single session of OMT performed upon initial evaluation which targets patient-specific somatic dysfunction findings has been shown to provide immediate improvement in pain, edema, and range of ankle motion when compared to a control group at a one week follow up.28

In a painful but otherwise clinically stable ankle and hindfoot, a trial of OMT is warranted when signs of somatic dysfunction are present.28 Techniques such as counterstrain and muscle energy directed at rebalancing ligamentous tension or diminishing muscle hypertonicity should be considered.28 OMT may be primary or adjunctive treatment in this setting (Table 1).

The initial treatment for fractures, ligament and tendon injuries, osteochondral lesions and nerve lesions should be PRICE with strictly no weight-bearing on the affected foot.3,5,10,12,13,29,30 Specialty referral to a sports medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon should also be considered. When a fracture is suspected, sparing use of NSAIDs is advised due to the potential for impairment of bone healing.27

Table 1: Differential diagnosis of laterally-based ankle and hindfoot pain: Work-up, provocative maneuvers, and treatment protocols

Injury Type	Provacative Maneuver	Diagnostic Test	Initial Management
Somatic Dysfunction
Restricted Fibulotibial Joint Motion	Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion	Palpation of restricted fibulotibial joint	OMT
Fracture
Lateral Malleolus	TTP* lateral malleolus15	Three-view ankle radiographs15	PRICE NWB§ on affected extremity Specialty referral
Lateral Process Talus	TTP anterior / 1 cm inferior to lateral malleolus3,6,13	Three-view ankle radiographs If negative, CT†3
Calcaneal Tuberocity (Acute or Stress Fracture)	TTP with medial/lateral compression of tuberosity	Axial view radiograph of heel (Harris view) If negative or joint involvement suspected, CT
Anterior Process Calcaneus	TTP 3 cm anterior and 1 cm inferior to lateral malleolus3,13	Three-view ankle and three- view foot radiographs If negative, CT3
Cuboid	TTP just proximal and superior to tuberocity of proximal fifth metatarsal	Three-view foot radiographs‡ If negative, CT12
Proximal Fifth Metatarsal	TTP with direct palpation of proximal fifth metatarsal10	Three-view foot radiographs10
Ankle Ligament Injury
Anterior Talofibular	Positive anterior drawer test with ankle in 20 degrees plantar flexion1	Three-view ankle radiographs If recurrent or clinically unstable, MRI¶ 1,2	NWB with ankle immobilization for 2 weeks Then, if stable and painless, initiate functional rehabilitation and OMT If unstable to drawer test, or pain persists, maintain NWB and seek specialty referral
Calcaneofibular	Positive anterior drawer test with ankle in 20 degrees dorsiflexion, and a positive Inversion stress test1	MRI
Posterior Talofibular	Positive Anterior drawer test with gross anterior instability due to high grade injury1	MRI
Syndesmosis	Compression of fibula and tibia at mid-calf elicits pain above ankle joint (squeeze test)18,19	Weight-bearing three-view ankle radiographs If negative, MRI1,30
Peroneal Tendon Injury
Tendonitis / Intrasubstance Tear	Pain with palpation along course of peroneal tendons8,20	MRI8	Ankle immobilization with weight bearing for 4 weeks If no improvement, specialty referral
Subluxation/Dislocation	Tendons visibly displace around lateral malleolus with ankle dorsiflexed/everted		Ankle and foot immobilization NWB Specialty referral
Chondral/Osteochondral Injury
Anterolateral Talar Dome	TTP anterolateral ankle1	Three-view ankle radiographs If lesion present, CT If lesion absent but symptoms persistent, MRI16	NWB with ankle and foot immobilization Specialty referral
Subtalar Joint	TTP inferior and anterior to lateral malleolus11	Three-view foot radiographs If negative, CT11
Nerve Injury
Sural Neuritis	Positive Tinel’s sign along posterolateral ankle20	Electromyography31 Ultrasonography14 Nerve conduction14	Physical Therapy for 2 weeks If no improvement, specialty referral
Superficial Peroneal Neuritis	Positive Tinel’s sign along anterolateral ankle21	Electromyography31 Ultrasonography14 Nerve conduction14,32

KEY
*Tenderness to Palpation	AP, Lateral, and Mortise views	†Non-contrast CT of ankle and foot with 2 mm slices
‡AP, Oblique, and Lateral views	¶Nonweight-bearing	§3.0 Tesla non-contrast MRI of ankle and foot with 3 mm slices

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