Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

This is something that can cause pain over the outside of the ankle joint. It most commonly follows an ankle sprain. The sinus tarsi is a small tunnel between two bones under the ankle joint. Sinus tarsi syndrome occurs when the ligaments in between these two bones get strained as part of the ankle sprain. Due to all the swelling an pain at the time of the sprain, it usually gets missed initially. The best treatment for this is physical therapy.

The other common cause of sinus tarsi syndrome is a flat or pronated foot. This foot type compresses the structures on the outside of the sinus tarsi between the two bones. If these compressive forces are great enought it can become painful. The best treatment for this one is foot orthotic to relieve the compressive forces.