Medical Questions » Legs Questions » Question No. 567
| Question: | On the outside of my ankle, just below the ankle bone, there is a second bone that when pressed is quite tender and swells up. I run a great deal, and this sometimes causes a burning feeling in the tender area. If it is knocked, it causes a fair amount of pain. X-rays of my ankle are normal and I have tried many treatments with little success. What more can I do? |
| Answer: | There is no naturally occurring structure at the point you are describing that would normally cause this complaint, but it is possible for damage to the area to cause some hardening of the underlying tissues.
Tight shoes, high sides on shoes, and a foot that tends to turn in or roll in when walking or running, could damage the tissues in this area. Obviously, a more serious injury from a blow to the area could also cause damage. The injury to the area may cause a callous to form, which may be as hard as bone, but it would be attached to the skin and not the underlying bone. In the next layer of tissue, a hard fibrous nodule may form as a result of injury.
A tendon in the area can become partly calcified to form a bony lump that may become painful with further injury.
The bone itself may be injured and produce a fibrous overgrowth that is very hard, and although it does not show on X-rays, it is attached to the bone.
Because there are so many possibilities, it is important for you to see an orthopaedic surgeon, who can thoroughly assess your foot. Treatments could include shoe inserts to correct any deformity and prevent further injury, injecting steroids around the tender lump, or surgically removing the lump. If it is annoying you enough to write to me, you should arrange to see a specialist as soon as possible. |
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