Impingement syndromes of the ankle

The term "ankle impingement" encompasses several distinct clinical entities resulting from entrapment of either an osseous or soft tissue structure. Three types of ankle impingement -- anterior, anterolateral, and posterior -- are well understood and have been described relatively well in the medical literature. Three additional categories of ankle impingement -- anteromedial, posteromedial, and syndesmotic -- are being recognized increasingly in the orthopedic community but have only scant references in the literature. The six types of ankle impingement are discussed separately, including a description of the typical clinical presentation, pertinent anatomy, pathophysiology, the role of imaging, and the various treatment options available.