Why Does My Ankle Pop and What Can Be Done About It?

Ankle popping is common and can be caused by a myriad of things. It can range from something as simple as gas releasing in your joint to maybe something a little more drastic like a dislocated tendon. 

Whatever the reason may be, our team of podiatrists at the Foot & Ankle Institute of Colorado is ready to help you find the root cause of your ankle popping and offer you some tips on how to remedy it.

The main causes of ankle popping

If there’s no pain when your ankle pops, the culprit is most likely the release of nitrogen or other gasses located in the fluid of your joint. If you’re inactive for a period of time, this gas can build up and then release, which is why your ankle pops after sitting or being inactive for a while. 

Another cause of that popping noise in your ankle could be your tendons rubbing together. The tendons in your foot are called peroneal tendons, and they’re what give your ankle joint its stability. If these tendons happen to pop out of the groove they sit in around your ankle bone, it can cause a snapping noise. Tendon popping is more likely to happen if you’ve recently had an ankle sprain.

Your peroneal tendons are held in place by a band called the peroneal retinaculum. If this band separates or becomes torn, it can cause your tendons to slip out of place, which, in turn, will cause a snapping or popping sound. When this happens, it’s a condition known as peroneal subluxation.

Your treatment options

If you’re not experiencing any pain associated with your ankle popping, strengthening your ankle through some at-home exercises can help lessen the popping or snapping and also prevent any injuries down the road. 

Physical therapy is a great option that we offer at our practice in order to help out with any tendon popping that may be happening, especially if it’s a result of an ankle sprain that’s still healing.

Ankle popping is normal, but if it doesn’t go away and starts to cause pain, we highly recommend getting it checked out by our podiatrists. If you’re experiencing peroneal subluxation, it can cause damage to your tendons if left untreated. Our team can examine your ankle and offer treatment plans in order to make sure you don’t experience any further damage or an injury.

If you’re having any issues with your ankle, our team is ready and willing to answer any questions you may have or examine your foot at an appointment in our office. To schedule one, call the Foot & Ankle Institute of Colorado located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 719-745-8806, or request an appointment online today.