11/06/2026
🦶 **Pain at the Back of Your Ankle? It’s Not Always Achilles Tendinopathy**
If you’ve been dealing with pain at the back of your ankle, it’s easy to assume it’s your Achilles tendon. That’s often the first thing people think — but it’s not always the full story.
One condition that’s commonly missed is **Posterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome (PAIS)**, where structures at the back of the ankle get “pinched” during certain movements, especially when pointing the toes.
⚠️ What it can feel like
People with PAIS often describe:
* A sharp or pinching pain at the back of the ankle
* Discomfort when pushing off while walking or running
* Pain when pointing the toes or going into deep ankle positions
* A feeling like something is “getting stuck” in the joint
* Stiffness or lingering soreness after activity
* Trouble returning to sport or gym at full capacity
🧠 Why it gets confused with Achilles pain
It makes sense that it gets mixed up — both conditions sit in the same general area.
But there’s a key difference:
* **Achilles tendinopathy** → more tendon-related pain, often stiff in the morning and sore with calf loading
* **PAIS** → more of a joint “pinching” or compression feeling at the back of the ankle, especially in deep plantarflexion
Getting this distinction right really matters, because the rehab approach is different.
💪 How physio can help
The good news is, most cases respond really well to the right treatment plan. Physiotherapy may include:
* Hands-on treatment to ease stiffness and improve ankle movement
* Strength work for the calf, ankle, and foot control
* Adjusting training loads so you can stay active without flaring it up
* Taping or support when needed during sport
* A clear plan to return to running, jumping, or gym safely
* Education so you understand what’s actually going on
* Pain management includes Dry Needling, LASER, or Shockwave as appropriate and directed by your physiotherapist
🚶♂️ A simple takeaway
If your ankle pain hasn’t settled or doesn’t quite behave like typical Achilles pain, it’s worth getting it assessed. Sometimes the issue isn’t the tendon — it’s the joint mechanics behind it.
Please come and get assessed at Cure n Care Physiotherapy
@📍 2 Finlay St, Frankston
📞 03 9088 4100
🌐 [www.curencarephysio.com.au](http://www.curencarephysio.com.au)
