Fracture of Stieda Process with Posterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Ankle impingement syndromes, prevalent among athletes, result in significant pain and limited joint mobility. Using imaging techniques (such as radiographs, CT, MRI, and ultrasound) not only assists in diagnosis but also helps in understanding the anatomical cause of the impingement, directing therapeutic injections, and pre-surgery planning. This article presents a case of a 36-year-old female with a two-year history of chronic ankle pain, associated with recurrent swelling and decreased mobility who underwent a radiographic imaging and MRI revealing a fracture of the Stieda process as a cause of posterior ankle impingement (PAI) syndrome. The diagnosis of ankle impingement syndromes mainly depends on comprehensive clinical examination and patient's medical history, but MRI was proved crucial for diagnosing syndromes affecting the posterior areas and excluding other causes of ankle pain.