What movement impairment is likely indicated in patients with anterolateral impingement syndrome following an ankle sprain?

• A. Increased plantar flexion
• B. Decreased inversion strength
• C. Painful closed chain dorsiflexion
• D. Limitations in hip extension

Answer: (C)

In patients with anterolateral impingement syndrome following an ankle sprain, painful closed-chain dorsiflexion is indicative of a movement impairment that often arises due to soft tissue lesions or mechanical restrictions in the ankle region. This condition can cause localized swelling and tenderness over the anterolateral aspect of the ankle, leading to pain during weight-bearing activities, particularly when the foot moves into dorsiflexion while the knee is flexed (closed-chain movement).

This impairment can significantly affect gait mechanics and functional activities, as individuals may avoid dorsiflexion to reduce pain, potentially leading to compensation patterns in other joints. Pain during this motion indicates that the structures involved—such as the ligaments, joint capsule, and possibly bony interactions—are affected by the history of trauma, which is common after an ankle sprain.

In contrast, increased plantar flexion, decreased inversion strength, and limitations in hip extension do not directly correlate with the symptoms associated with anterolateral impingement syndrome post-sprain. While such conditions might also coexist in some patients, they are not the hallmark indicators of the specific movement impairment tied to this syndrome. Therefore, the presence of pain during closed-chain dorsiflexion is the hallmark sign