Ankle pain is something many people deal with, whether it’s from twisting your foot, an awkward step, or a bad landing while playing sports. While it might feel like a small problem, the pain could sometimes mean a bigger issue, like a dislocated ankle. When your ankle hurts badly, it can stop you from walking, doing everyday tasks, or enjoying activities you love. If left untreated, it might even lead to long-term problems like joint damage or weakness.
Did you know that ankle injuries make up about 20–50% of all sports-related injuries in the U.S.? Most are sprains, but in some cases, they can involve more serious issues like dislocations. This is why it’s important to figure out exactly what’s wrong when you hurt your ankle. If you’re not sure how bad your injury is, it’s always a good idea to see a doctor. They can help check for serious problems and get you started on the right treatment. Taking action sooner can prevent complications and help you heal faster.
What is Ankle Dislocation?
An ankle dislocation happens when the bones in your ankle joint are pushed out of place. This is a serious injury that can make your ankle unstable and damage the tissues, like ligaments and nerves, around the joint. If it’s not treated quickly, it can lead to long-term problems like joint pain or weakness. That’s why seeing a doctor right away is very important.
Signs of a Dislocated Ankle
If your ankle is dislocated, you might notice these symptoms:
- A lot of pain right after the injury
- Swelling and bruising around your ankle
- The ankle looking strange or out of place
- Difficulty moving your foot or standing on it
- Numbness or a tingling feeling in your foot
- Pale or cold skin, which could mean there’s a problem with blood flow
How Do Dislocations Happen?
An ankle dislocation is often caused by high-impact injuries. Here are some common ways it can happen:
- Playing sports like soccer, basketball, or football and twisting or landing badly
- A car accident where your ankle is hit or twisted
- Falling, especially from a height or on an uneven surface
- A really bad ankle sprain that overstretches the ligaments and makes the joint unstable
Certain people are more likely to have dislocated ankles, like athletes, people with naturally loose ligaments, or those who have injured their ankle before.
How to Tell if Your Ankle is Dislocated
If you’ve got severe pain and swelling and can’t move your foot or ankle, it might be dislocated. If your ankle looks out of place or a bone is sticking out, that’s a clear sign to get help immediately. Don’t try to move or fix it yourself because this can make the injury worse.
How is a Dislocated Ankle Checked?
If you think your ankle might be dislocated, doctors will follow a few steps to figure out what’s wrong and how to help you. Each step gives important information about your injury.
Physical Exam
First, the doctor will examine your ankle by touching and feeling around the injured area. They’ll check for swelling, areas that are very tender, or if your ankle looks out of shape. They’ll ask about your pain and how the injury happened.
The doctor will also check if blood is flowing properly to your foot by feeling your pulse around the foot and ankle. If your skin looks pale, feels cold, or is numb, they’ll investigate more because blood vessels could be affected. They’ll test your nerves by touching different parts of your foot or asking you to move your toes. This helps them see if there’s any nerve damage.
X-rays
Next, they might ask for an X-ray. X-rays take pictures of your bones to see if they’re out of place or if any are broken. This is very important because fractures often happen along with dislocations, and the doctor needs to know how severe the injury is.
MRI or CT Scans
If the doctor thinks soft tissues, like ligaments or tendons, are damaged, they may order an MRI or a CT scan.
- MRI scans give clear images of soft tissues. These can show things like torn ligaments or damage to tendons.
- CT scans take detailed 3D pictures of your ankle. These help doctors understand complicated injuries, like multiple broken bones or severe tissue damage.
These scans are usually used if surgery might be needed since they give a closer look at what’s going on inside.
Ultrasound
Sometimes, an ultrasound is used too. This test uses sound waves to make pictures of your ankle. It’s a quick way to check if blood is flowing well through the area. It can also show tiny tears in tissues that other tests might miss.
Types of Ankle Dislocation
Ankle dislocations can happen in different ways, and they vary in how severe they are. Here are the main types explained simply:
1. Posterior Dislocation
This is when the foot gets pushed backward, causing the ankle bones to move out of place toward the back. It usually happens due to strong impacts, like in car accidents or bad falls. This type can harm blood vessels and tissues, so quick treatment is important.
2. Anterior Dislocation
This happens when the foot is forced forward, making the ankle bones shift toward the front. It might occur after a hard fall or a twisting injury. Although less common, it can still cause serious ligament injuries.
3. Lateral Dislocation
This type happens when the ankle is forced to the side—either inward (medial) or outward (lateral). Sports accidents, like landing awkwardly or twisting your foot, can cause this. These injuries often include fractures and ligament tears.
4. Upward Dislocation
Rare and very severe, this happens when a strong force pushes the foot upward. It often involves broken bones and damage to ligaments, and surgery is usually needed.
5. Open Dislocation
This means the bones break through the skin, leaving the joint exposed. Open dislocations are usually caused by extreme trauma, like a heavy injury from a car crash. They are very serious and need immediate care to avoid infections and further damage.
All types of ankle dislocations are serious and need to be treated right away. If they’re not fixed quickly, you might face problems like poor blood flow, nerve damage, long-term pain, or trouble moving the ankle. Broken bones or torn ligaments won’t heal properly without the right care, and you could end up with a weak or unstable joint.
Can You Recover Well After an Ankle Dislocation?
Yes, you can recover from an ankle dislocation and get back to normal activities, but it depends on a few things. How bad your injury was, how quickly you got treatment, and how well you follow your recovery plan all play a big role.
With proper care, most people get their foot’s strength back. Here’s how the process usually goes:
- Once your ankle is treated, your body needs time to heal, which is why rest and recovery are so important.
- To rebuild strength, improve ankle movement, and avoid stiffness, your doctor or physical therapist will guide you through rehab exercises.
- Since healing takes time, having patience is key—it’s important not to rush because doing too much too soon can slow your recovery.
For smaller injuries, you might feel back to normal in a few weeks or months. If the dislocation was severe or involved broken bones, it can take longer, and you might still notice slight stiffness or weakness.
The good news is, with the right treatment and plenty of effort during rehab, you can usually return to your favorite activities. Stick to your doctor’s advice, keep up with your exercises, and you’ll likely be back to walking, running, or playing sports again.