Joint Capsule Problems - Others

General information

A dislocated or luxated ankle means that one or more bones are out of their natural position. The ankle joint consists of the tibia, the fibula and the talus. When these are no longer in the right position relative to each other, your ankle is dislocated. The bones are usually held together by ligaments, muscles and capsular ligaments.

When muscles rupture or strain and (capsular) ligaments tear, bones can dislocate easier.

Causes

You usually dislocate your ankle after you sprain it. Sprains are common among athletes who change directions, compete on an uneven surface or land incorrectly after a jump. In addition, a quick fall from high altitude can also be the cause of a dislocated ankle. If you're suffering from hypermobility, for example, there is a higher risk of problems in the capsular ligament.

Symptoms

One experiences a severe and fierce pain in the ankle when it is dislocated. The pain can radiate to the lower leg, foot and toes. Touching the ankle is experienced as very painful and the ankle becomes swollen, blue and warm. Sometimes, the dislocation is visible. In addition, you can also suffer from sensory and circulatory problems when your ankle is dislocated.

Treatment

If your ankle is dislocated, there is a big possibility that your ankle is broken. This can be confirmed by an X-ray. The dislocated ankle would have to be placed back into position by a specialist. After this, it is important to keep moving the ankle without putting too much pressure on it. Recovery can take weeks to months, so visiting a physiotherapist is crucial. To recover quickly or to prevent dislocation, you could also consider wearing one of our braces.