Os Trigonum Relevant Posterior Ankle Pain

What Does Relevant Os Trigonum Pain Feel Like?

When an individual has a symptomatic os trigonum causing posterior ankle pain there are a number of signs and symptoms they may present with including:

• Experiencing pain located between the area of the achilles tendon and the peroneal tendons. Pain felt at the outside posterior part of the ankle in behind the lateral ankle bone.
• Experiencing pain with the palpation of the above mentioned area, felt in the deep posterolateral aspect of the ankle joint.
• Demonstrating a decrease in plantarflexion range of movement (toe pointing action) when this is compared to the unaffected ankle. Where “forced” plantarflexion of the foot and ankle will often cause pain in the area described above.
• Having a palpable bony prominence in the back of the ankle, with tenderness felt directly in the location of the “abnormal” bone.
• A general feeling of stiffness in the ankle as well as some individuals may experience some local swelling in the back of the ankle.

A special test that is sometimes used by physiotherapists and medical practitioners in an attempt to assess the relevance of the os trigonum in causing an individuals ankle pain is to move the big toe up and down looking for pain when doing so. With this test the movement is considered to cause pain when the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon moves against the os trigonum as the big toe is pulled upwards (into dorsiflexion) however as a diagnostic test it isn’t considered a particularly reliable assessment tool.

Differential Diagnosis For Posterior Ankle Pain

Not surprisingly a symptomatic Os Trigonum is not the only potential cause of pain in the posterior aspect ankle pain, other causes of pain in the back of the ankle may include, but not limited to:

• Cartilage abnormalities of the ankle, such as osteochondritis dissecans of the talus
• Achilles tendinopathies including insertional achillies tendinopathy
• Retrocalcaneal bursitis
• Flexor hallucis longus tendinopathy causing pain medially in the back of the ankle
• Peroneal tendinopathy causing pain laterally in the posterior ankle

At Sydney Physio Clinic our team are happy to treat pain experienced in the back of the ankle from a variety of causes be it tendinopathy, impingement, bursitis… If you have pain in the posterior aspect of your ankle then book in with one of our physios for assessment and planning your rehabilitation process.

Disclaimer: Sydney Physio Clinic does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products mentioned. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific advice or assistance regarding Os Trigonum Relevant Posterior Ankle Pain should consult his or her general practitioner, sports medicine doctor or physiotherapist.