Lateral Malleolar Bursitis in a Competitive In-Line Rollerblade Speed Skater: A Case Report

A 10-yr-old nationally competitive female in-line rollerblade speed skater presented to a sports medicine clinic with bilateral lateral ankle pain and swelling over 2 mos. Patient had tenderness to palpation and focal swelling at the lateral malleoli. Ultrasound examination confirmed a diagnosis of lateral adventitial malleolar bursitis, potentially owing to repetitive shear forces across the lateral malleoli. Inspection of the patient's carbon-fiber boots revealed millimeters of discrepancy in fit around the patient's lateral malleoli. After a brief relative rest from sport, the patient had custom-molded boots made and was able to return to high-level competition and shortly thereafter was pain free. This case is the first known report of lateral malleolar bursitis in an athlete and highlights the role of equipment evaluation, which may be necessary in these athletes.