Footballers, ballet dancers, gymnasts and fast bowlers (due to the impact on their leading leg), are among those frequently affected by posterior ankle impingement. As the ‘plantar flexion’ movement occurs, the foot and ankle are angled away from the body to their greatest extent, with the ankle compressed.
If this extreme motion is repeated too many times or too forcefully, it can result in tissue damage and pain.
Pointe work when dancing, kicking a football, running or walking, especially downhill, hopping and jumping, are all examples of activities that may cause this problem.
