Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentStrengtheningSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
Strengthening
Seeking Medical Care
Ankle popping is a common occurrence and isn’t a cause for concern unless you have pain or swelling along with the popping. The medical term for popping in a joint is “crepitus.” In addition to popping, crepitus can cause a cracking sound or a clunking or snapping sensation.
This article discusses possible causes of ankle popping and treatment for conditions when it is problematic.
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What Causes Ankle Popping?
Anklepopping can occur for various reasons. Most of the time, it isn’t related to a medical condition or injury,
Gas Release
Joint capsules can become tight, especially if you haven’t moved around in a while. When you move your ankle, the capsule around the joint stretches. This can cause gas to release from the joint, making a popping sound.
Ankle popping from gas release does not cause pain and often makes it easier to move your joint immediately afterward.
Tendon Injury
Tendoninflammation or rubbing can cause a popping sensation during ankle movement.Tendonitiscommonly affects theperoneal tendonson the outside of the ankle and usually develops over time with repetitive activity.
Peroneal tendons that move out of place, either partially (subluxation) or fully (dislocation), can also cause a popping sensation. This can occur when the tissue that holds the tendons in place—called the retinaculum—is damaged.In addition to pain, this condition can make your ankle feel unstable.
Osteochondral Lesion
Ankle popping can occur from damage tocartilage, the structures that provide padding between bones in a joint. This condition, called anosteochondral lesion, commonly affects the ankle or knee.Osteochondral lesions in the ankle affect the talus, a small bone that connects the lower leg to the foot.
Osteochondral lesions in the ankle can cause clicking or popping and a feeling that the joint is unstable. Pain from this condition increases during activity when you put pressure on the damaged cartilage and usually feels better with rest.
Ligament Injury
Anankle sprainis aligamentinjury that can cause ankle popping. These structures, which connect bone to bone, are commonly injured on the outside of the ankle.Popping can also occur at the time of the injury if a ligament tears completely.
Ligament injuries also cause pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising.
Ankle Pain Causes and Treatments
Treatment for Ankle Popping
Ankle popping that occurs without injury does not require treatment. Conditions that cause pain in addition to popping can initially be treated with the RICE protocol, which includes:
You can usenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Aleve (naproxen), Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), or Bayer (aspirin), to decrease pain and swelling associated with injuries that cause ankle popping.
What Can Help Strengthen Your Ankles?
Specific exercises can help strengthen your muscles and increase your range of motion after injuries that causeankle popping.
Ankle Circles
Ankle circles increase the range of motion. Make the circles as large as you can without pain as you do the following:
Calf Raises
Calf raises that strengthen muscles around your ankle include the following steps:
Single-Legged Balance
Balance exercises, such as standing on one foot, can improveproprioceptionafter an ankle injury and reduce your risk of future injuries.
They are performed as follows:
Draw the Alphabet
Drawing the alphabet with your foot improves ankle range of motion in all directions and is done in the following way:
Towel Stretch
Tight calf muscles can sometimes increase your risk of ankle injuries that can lead to popping.The towel stretch includes the following steps and improves flexibility in these muscles:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See a healthcare provider if you have pain or swelling along with your ankle popping, particularly if home remedies don’t improve your symptoms within a day or two. Seek immediate medical attention if your ankle popping or other symptoms occur after a trauma or if you are unable to bear weight on your foot.
Summary
Ankle popping is a common occurrence and usually isn’t cause for concern. However, you might have an underlying injury if you have pain or swelling along with the popping. Most often, ankle popping occurs when the space around the ankle joint releases gas during movement.
Popping can also occur with damage to your ankle’s tendons, ligaments, or cartilage. Strengthening and range of motion exercises can help improve recovery from conditions that cause ankle popping and decrease the risk of future injury.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R.Real-time visualization of joint cavitation.PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0119470. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119470American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.Peroneal tendinosis.Cedars Sinai.Osteochondral lesions/osteochondritis dissecans.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprained ankle.van Dieën JH, van Leeuwen M, Faber GS.Learning to balance on one leg: Motor strategy and sensory weighting.J Neurophysiol. 2015;114(5):2967-2982. doi:10.1152%2Fjn.00434.2015Halabchi F, Hassabi M.Acute ankle sprain in athletes: Clinical aspects and algorithmic approach.World J Orthop. 2020;11(12):534-558. doi:10.5312%2Fwjo.v11.i12.534
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R.Real-time visualization of joint cavitation.PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0119470. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119470American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.Peroneal tendinosis.Cedars Sinai.Osteochondral lesions/osteochondritis dissecans.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprained ankle.van Dieën JH, van Leeuwen M, Faber GS.Learning to balance on one leg: Motor strategy and sensory weighting.J Neurophysiol. 2015;114(5):2967-2982. doi:10.1152%2Fjn.00434.2015Halabchi F, Hassabi M.Acute ankle sprain in athletes: Clinical aspects and algorithmic approach.World J Orthop. 2020;11(12):534-558. doi:10.5312%2Fwjo.v11.i12.534
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R.Real-time visualization of joint cavitation.PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0119470. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119470American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.Peroneal tendinosis.Cedars Sinai.Osteochondral lesions/osteochondritis dissecans.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprained ankle.van Dieën JH, van Leeuwen M, Faber GS.Learning to balance on one leg: Motor strategy and sensory weighting.J Neurophysiol. 2015;114(5):2967-2982. doi:10.1152%2Fjn.00434.2015Halabchi F, Hassabi M.Acute ankle sprain in athletes: Clinical aspects and algorithmic approach.World J Orthop. 2020;11(12):534-558. doi:10.5312%2Fwjo.v11.i12.534
Kawchuk GN, Fryer J, Jaremko JL, Zeng H, Rowe L, Thompson R.Real-time visualization of joint cavitation.PLOS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0119470. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0119470
American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society.Peroneal tendinosis.
Cedars Sinai.Osteochondral lesions/osteochondritis dissecans.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Sprained ankle.
van Dieën JH, van Leeuwen M, Faber GS.Learning to balance on one leg: Motor strategy and sensory weighting.J Neurophysiol. 2015;114(5):2967-2982. doi:10.1152%2Fjn.00434.2015
Halabchi F, Hassabi M.Acute ankle sprain in athletes: Clinical aspects and algorithmic approach.World J Orthop. 2020;11(12):534-558. doi:10.5312%2Fwjo.v11.i12.534
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