A “jammed ankle” is not a medical term, but it generally refers to a feeling of stiffness, restriction, or blockage in ankle movement, often after an injury like a sprain. This sensation can be caused by:
Joint Dysfunction – The talus (ankle bone) might not be gliding properly within the ankle joint, leading to a stuck or restricted feeling.
Soft Tissue Impingement – Swollen or thickened ligaments and scar tissue can get pinched between bones, limiting motion.
Anterior Ankle Impingement (“Footballer’s Ankle”) – Repeated sprains or trauma can cause bone spurs or inflamed tissue at the front of the ankle, restricting dorsiflexion.
Posterior Ankle Impingement – If you feel the jammed sensation when pointing your foot downward, it could be due to structures getting compressed at the back of the ankle.
Swelling & Scar Tissue – After a sprain, lingering inflammation and scar tissue buildup can restrict mobility.
Cartilage Damage – Injuries to the cartilage in the ankle joint (like osteochondral lesions of the talus) can make movement feel stuck or painful.
This photo shows our Physiotherapist, Kayla, doing a joint mobilization technique to the Talus bone. It often gets “jammed “ after an ankle sprain. Often it feels like you can’t bend your ankle up towards your face. It’s an easy and effective technique, which is followed up with a home mobilization exercise.
