Symptoms of ankle cartilage injury

The ankle joint is a part that is more prone to injury, so we should pay attention to protecting the ankle joint during exercise. Some people always wear low-top shoes when playing basketball, which can easily cause ankle sprains, so we should wear special high-top basketball shoes when playing basketball, which can avoid many uncomfortable symptoms and reduce the risk of injury. So, what are the symptoms of soft tissue injury of the ankle?

1. Clinical manifestations

1. Pain and limited mobility during ankle movement

It is the main symptom of ankle cartilage damage. In the early stage, the pain occurs during activities, and later the pain occurs even when resting. The pain is mostly in front of the ankle. When kicking the ball with the instep, the osteophytes at the back of the ankle collide and squeeze the soft tissue, causing pain. When sprinting and jumping, the anterior tibial lip and talar neck collide to produce pain. With the proliferation of osteophytes, thickening of synovial bursa and formation of loose bodies, the restriction of joint movement becomes increasingly obvious until the joint range of motion is significantly reduced.

2. Friction sound of joint surface

There may be friction sound on the joint surface, which is mainly caused by the friction between the rough joint surface and the thickened synovium or loose bodies.

3. Physical signs

The joints are mildly swollen, tender, grating, and creaking, and the joint space is reduced. Occasionally loose bodies may be palpated.

II. Treatment

1. Conservative treatment

External application of various ointments, ultrashort wave therapy or ion introduction, local sealing within joints or pain points. You can try using cartilage-protecting drugs (such as glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate) to relieve symptoms and improve the condition.

2. Surgery

Surgical treatment can be used for patients with excessive osteophytes, loose bodies in the joints, reduced joint space, and recurrent locking of the ankle joint.

Generally, there are varying numbers of loose bodies in the joints, which should be carefully removed and the joint cavity should be cleaned repeatedly with normal saline. The postoperative effect is generally good and training can be resumed after about 3 months.

3. Prevention

Strengthening muscle training around the ankle joint, wrapping it with elastic bandages or adhesive tape after injury or during competition, preventing excessive flexion and extension of the ankle joint and eversion and eversion, and avoiding repeated sprains are effective measures to prevent football ankle.