I have ankle pain without swelling and injury. What is the cause?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have lateral ankle pain without swelling and any history of injury. The X-ray reads negative except for the odd lesion present on the shin bone. The pain started four weeks back as mild progressive to limping pain.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for writing to us. I hope that the patient is not having much pain. The x-ray attached (attachment removed to protect patient identity) shows that the ankle bones are in a growth phase, and the ossification centers of the lower ends of the tibia and fibula are not fused. There is an odd lesion in the shaft of the tibia. The X-ray shows only bones and some of the soft tissues. The muscles, ligaments, and early stages of bone conditions are not always visualized on the x-ray. In view of the above findings, it will help to do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan of the left ankle for detailed evaluation. Regards and thanks.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for writing back to us. There is a lucent lesion showing peripheral sclerotic margins in the tibia shaft, which might suggest a benign lesion. Likely, differentials could be eosinophilic granuloma, simple bone cyst, and non-ossifying fibroma. However, a follow-up x-ray in a few weeks to months is suggested. Regards and thanks.