Ankle popping can be treated with general treatment, medication and surgery depending on the cause, which may include physiologic causes, synovitis, ligament injuries and fractures.
1. Physiological: It may be a normal joint popping, due to the long-term immobilization of the ankle joint, sudden activity due to changes in the pressure inside the joint or the tendon through the narrow and protruding parts of the joint. This condition is physiologic and does not require special treatment.
2. Synovitis: the joint is swollen and painful due to inflammation, the synovial capsule wall is thickened, and the joint pops when moving. In this case, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as celecoxib and ibuprofen can be taken under the guidance of the doctor to relieve pain. If the symptoms are more serious, glucocorticoids can be injected into the joint cavity to improve joint function.
2. Ligament injury: this condition will appear popping when it rubs against the surrounding bones and soft tissues during activities. In the early stage, the swelling and pain of the joint can be relieved by applying ice packs and taking ibuprofen and other analgesics. If the ligament damage is serious, it can be repaired through minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
3. Fracture: The fractured ends rub against each other when moving, and symptoms such as joint popping occur. Restore the normal anatomical relationship of the ankle joint through manipulation, and then perform immobilization. For those who have difficulty in manipulating the ankle joint, the fracture should be fixed by incision and internal fixation.
If you have ankle popping sound, you need to actively consult the doctor to clarify the cause of the disease and then carry out targeted treatment, and the medication should be used according to the doctor’s instructions.