Ankles pop and snap for many reasons. Ankle injuries are very common. Some ankle injuries lead to popping or snapping. Sometimes ankles snap and pop without an injury. The most common ankle injury is an ankle sprain. That involves an injury to at least one of the ligaments holding the bones around the ankle together. If the ligaments in your ankle remain loose the popping you feel might be due to the bones moving around more than usual because the ligaments are stretched or weak.
Under many circumstances snapping or popping of the ankle is not a worrisome issue. We are going to review occasions where your ankle should be evaluated and thoroughly examined.
Why Do Ankles Pop or Snap:
The 4 most common reasons your ankle might snap or pop include:
- Ankle Instability due to a chronic ligament injury
- A tendon snapping over the bones – usually the Peroneal Tendons
- OCD or Osteochondritis Dessicans: A loose piece of bone is formed in the ankle
- Many ankles pop and snap and have nothing wrong on exam and MRI.
Peroneal Tendon Instability:
This issue involves instability of the peroneal tendons on the outside or lateral side of your ankle. The peroneal tendons wrap around the fibula or the little bone on the outside of the ankle. If these tendons are not held tightly against the bone they may snap or pop. Popping or snapping of these tendons can occur without injury if your ligaments are a little loose. True peroneal tendon instability often occurs after a severe ankle sprain. When you roll your ankle the structure that normally holds the peroneal tendons in place may also tear. If that “retinaculum” tears, then every time you move your ankle the peroneal tendons can slide out of their groove and over the end of the fibula. This will create obvious snapping or pop on the outer side of your ankle. This post goes into far more detail on peroneal tendon subluxation.
OCD or Osteochondritis Dessicans:
Another reason for your ankle to pop or snap is osteochondritis dissecans or OCD of the ankle. OCD of the ankle involves a bone in the ankle called the Talus. Under certain circumstances, a portion of the cartilage and the bone can become loose within the ankle joint. OCD of the ankle can occur after a severe injury. OCD of the ankle can also occur due to chronic repetitive stress. This is mostly seen in young patients. When you have had OCD of the ankle a piece of bone and cartilage is loose within the ankle joint. When you use of the ankle that loose piece of cartilage and bone moving around can give you the sensation of popping, locking or snapping.
Ankle Sprains:
One of the most common causes of ankle popping is instability of the ankle joint itself. This usually occurs in someone who has suffered many ankle sprains. Sprains involve an injury to the ligaments holding the ankle bones together. After multiple sprains, the ligaments are no longer as tight as they were before the initial injury. Therefore, when you change direction, move sideways, or pivot and twist the ankle bones might be coming apart leading to instability and popping or snapping of the ankle bones as they come back together.
Many patients with ankle instability will respond quite well to wearing a compression sleeve, physical therapy program or bracing with certain athletic activities. If you do not respond to nonsurgical measures then your sports medicine professional may need to tighten the ligaments to minimize the risk of instability.
For those suffering from osteochondritis dissecans or OCD of the ankle with a loose piece of bone we typically need to perform a procedure called an ankle arthroscopy. This involves putting a small fiberoptic camera into the ankle to visualize all the surfaces. Sometimes the loose piece is able to be put back into place and repaired. On occasion, the piece of cartilage is too beaten up to repair. In that situation, the loose piece needs to be removed. OCD injuries are usually small. If a large piece of bone is involved we may need to consider a cartilage regeneration procedure. The goal of the cartilage regeneration is to minimize the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
When instability of the peroneal tendons on the outer side of the ankle is caught early, a short period of casting or bracing might allow the structure holding the tendons in place to heal. When bracing or casting does not work, then surgery to repair the structure holding the tendons in place will be needed to hold the peroneal tendons in place. If those tendons are allowed to snap and pop over the end of the fibula they might eventually tear if this injury is not addressed surgically.
As mentioned above, the most common cause of ankle popping or snapping is unknown. That means that your examination and an MRI may not reveal any obvious abnormality. Hopefully, a good exam and a good discussion with your doctor can explain why your ankle pops and put your mind at ease.
Sarah
I sprained my ankle several times this year. My ankle has recovered now however every time I stand on my toes, or go up on releve, my ankle feels extremely unstable or feels like its going to pop. Sometimes it pops and I end up in extreme pain. Should I seek physical therapy or get an ankle support sleeve?
Howard J. Luks, MD
Perhaps both… have you been seen for an X-ray and exam? You want to be sure that your peroneal tendons are not subluxating.
Laura
I sprained my left ankle about 3-4 weeks ago, I let it rest for about 1 week before I started playing on it. I can’t seem to run without limping, its like I can’t put weight on it. Once I warm up and stop paying attention to it then I can run on it without too much difficulty. I feel a lot of pain whenever I stiffen my foot and try to turn it towards my left side. I feel the pain on the inside of my ankle near the back. Whenever I first injured my ankle I felt all the pain in my shin, like I had pulled a muscle. My ankle didn’t swell up until the next day, so I didn’t ice it because I didn’t think I had sprained my actual ankle. After I’m done playing, that’s when I feel the most pain.
Howard J. Luks, MD
Many ankle sprains, especially “high” ankle sprains take much longer to get better than we ever anticipate.
If you’re concerned it might be a good idea to see a sports doc for an exam and possible xrays.
Josie
I am 15 years old. I haven’t ever had any serious ankle injuries, just rolled them a few times, as one does. For a while now, my ankles have been doing this thing where I will feel a sort of pressure in them and I have to pop them to get the pressure to go away. It’s normally not painful, but it makes my ankles feel stiff. I run cross country, so I’m wondering if that is part of the problem. Also, the pops aren’t little. The are pretty “hearty” pops, if you know what I mean. I hope you can help!
Howard J. Luks, MD
HI Josie…
There are many reasons why your ankle joints are popping. Usually the type of popping you describe occurs more often in the morning. It can be due to a synovitis or inflammation from running. The popping can also be due to other less common issues. At your age it is a good idea to have a Sports Medicine doctor take a look at you. Many of these cases do not require surgery… most will resolve over time or after physical therapy. After a doctor sees you and looks at your xrays they will have a much better idea as to why your ankles are popping.
Derek
My ankles pop and click only when I’m jump roping. They’re painless so I don’t really care much for it but the thing is that it pops and clicks every. single. time. It doesn’t sort of, just stop – even for a second. With every jump I take they make a sound. Is that worrisome?
I’m 21 years old by the way.
Howard J. Luks, MD
Usually not Derek… but if you are concerned it may be worth having a Sports Medicine doctor check out your ankles
Damien
Hey I sprained my ankle(left) back on February 14th of this year, its was diagnosed as a Grade 2 sprain, and I was instructed to wear an ankle splint for 8 weeks and follow the R.I.C.E. procedure. Four months down the road and I’m able to walk alright. I play soccer, so every now and then I run a little and jump a bit, but after awhile my foot feels a little tingly, my ankle pops a lot when I rotate my ankle by doing a circular motion, and sometimes when I walk. I’m making progress, because in 3 weeks I went from not even able to run at all, to a slight jog, to a light run. I’m not fully confident by trying any vigorous exercise on it, and it feels like it’s one twist away from going back to square one. Right under the ball of my ankle I feel a bit of a slight pain when I rotate my ankle. So what should I do?
Howard J. Luks, MD
I would see a Sports Medicine doc… a good exam and perhaps an MRI might help determine the cause of your popping. The exam is probably more important. Popping can come from residual instability ( the ligaments are loose), or snapping of the tendons on the side of the ankle…. as well as other less common reasons.
Good luck
Damien
Okay, should I go back to being on crutches and R.I.C.E. or can I still walk around as long as I wear my Ace Wrap?