If your ankle clicks when you walk, you are not alone. Many people notice a click, a pop, or a soft grinding feeling with each step. Most of the time, it is harmless. Sometimes it can point to a problem that is worth checking.
This guide explains why your ankle might click when you walk, what the clicking can mean, and when it is sensible to see a clinician. It is written for information only and does not replace a proper assessment.
Is a clicking ankle normal?
A clicking ankle is very common, and on its own, it is often nothing to worry about. Joints can make noises for many ordinary reasons.
The key question is whether the clicking comes with other symptoms. A click with no pain, no swelling and no giving way is usually harmless. A click that comes with pain, swelling, or a feeling that your ankle might buckle is more likely to need a closer look.
If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to ask a clinician. They can check the joint and put your mind at rest.
What is happening inside your ankle?
Your ankle is a complex hinge. It is built from bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons that all move together every time you take a step.
A clicking sound can come from any of these parts. In simple terms, the common sources of the noise are:
- Tiny gas bubbles form and collapse inside the joint fluid (the same harmless process behind cracking your knuckles).
- A tendon flicking or sliding over a bony bump as you move.
- Slightly roughened or worn cartilage surfaces rubbing together.
- Ligaments that have become loose after a previous sprain, allowing small shifts in the joint.
Knowing the likely source helps you and your clinician work out whether the click matters.
Common reasons your ankle clicks when you walk
There is rarely a single cause. Below are the reasons we see most often in the clinic, from the harmless to the kind that needs treatment.
Harmless gas bubbles (cavitation)
Joints are filled with a thick fluid that helps them glide. When pressure inside the joint changes, tiny gas bubbles can form and pop. This makes a clicking or cracking sound.
This type of click is painless and harmless. It does not damage the joint, and it does not cause arthritis.
A tendon slipping over bone (peroneal tendon subluxation)
Two tendons called the peroneal tendons run behind the bony bump on the outside of your ankle. If the tissue that holds them in place is loose, the tendons can flick forwards and back over the bone as you move. This often feels like a snap or click on the outside of the ankle.
Peroneal tendon problems are easy to miss, and they can be linked to repeated ankle sprains and to the shape of the heel.1 If your click is on the outer ankle and comes with pain or a snapping feeling, this is worth checking.
Crepitus from the joint lining (synovitis)
The lining of the joint can become irritated and swollen, often after an injury or with early wear. This can create a soft grinding or clicking known as crepitus.
Crepitus is common and is not always serious. When it comes to pain or swelling, your consultant will want to find the cause.
Loose ligaments after a sprain (ankle instability)
An ankle sprain stretches or tears the ligaments that keep the joint stable. If these do not heal fully, the ankle can feel loose.
This is called chronic ankle instability, and it can cause clicking, repeated sprains, and a sense that the ankle may give way.2
If you have sprained the same ankle more than once, instability is a likely part of the picture.
Instability tends to be worse on uneven ground, on stairs, or when you are tired. Many people find they start to avoid certain activities without realising it. The good news is that targeted exercises to improve strength and balance help a great deal, and your consultant will guide you on what is safe.
Cartilage and joint surface problems
The ends of the bones are covered in smooth cartilage. A past injury can leave a small rough patch or a tiny loose fragment, sometimes called an osteochondral lesion. This can click, catch, or lock as the joint moves.
Pain, swelling, or a true locking feeling (where the ankle briefly jams) are signs that the joint surface should be assessed.
These injuries are easy to overlook because the click can come and go. If your ankle catches at the same spot each time, mention this at your appointment.
Does it matter when the click happens?
The timing of the click can be a useful clue. It is worth paying attention to when and where you feel it.
A click that happens with a specific movement, such as pushing off as you walk or rolling the foot outwards, often points to a tendon or a particular part of the joint. A click that happens at random, with no pattern, is more likely to be harmless gas bubbles.
Some people notice the noise more first thing in the morning or after sitting still, and it eases once they get moving. This pattern is common and is usually nothing to worry about on its own.
If you can, make a simple note of when the click happens and what you were doing. This small detail can help your clinician reach an answer more quickly.
Mr Francesc Malagelada
Mr Francesc Malagelada is a highly respected Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon based at the Royal London Hospital, the largest Trauma Centre in the UK. He has a special interest in foot and ankle surgery and treats common conditions such as bunions, sports injuries, ligament damage, tendon issues, as well as complex conditions that require reconstruction surgery. Mr Malagelada takes a patient-centric approach to care and offers both surgical and non-surgical options to adapt to each patient’s lifestyle.
Clicking with no pain versus clicking with pain
The single most useful thing you can do is notice what comes with the click. Pain changes the picture.
The table below is a general guide. It is not a diagnosis, and your symptoms may not fit neatly into one column.
|
What you notice
|
What it often suggests
|
What to do
|
|---|---|---|
|
Painless click, no swelling, no giving way
|
Usually harmless, often gas bubbles or a mobile tendon
|
You can usually monitor it at home
|
|
Click with pain on the outer ankle
|
May involve the peroneal tendons
|
Arrange a clinical assessment
|
|
Click with swelling or warmth
|
May involve joint lining irritation
|
See a GP or specialist
|
|
Click with the ankle giving way
|
May involve ligament instability
|
See a specialist for assessment
|
|
Click with locking or catching
|
May involve the cartilage surface
|
See a specialist for imaging
|
If in doubt, a quick check is always reasonable. An early review usually means simpler treatment.
Red-flag symptoms: when to get urgent help
Most clicking ankles are not an emergency. A few symptoms do need prompt attention.
The NHS advises that you contact NHS 111 if you have severe ankle pain, if your ankle or foot has changed shape or sits at an odd angle, if you heard a snap, grinding, or popping noise at the time of an injury, or if you cannot walk.3 These can be signs of a broken ankle or an infection.
You should also see a GP if the pain is stopping you from doing normal activities, if it keeps coming back, if it has not improved after two weeks of home care, or if you have any tingling or loss of feeling in your foot.3 If you have diabetes and foot pain, seek advice sooner, because foot problems can be more serious.3
How a clicking ankle is diagnosed
Working out the cause is usually straightforward. Your consultant will start by asking about your symptoms and any past injuries.
A typical assessment may include:
- A history of when the click started, where you feel it, and what makes it worse.
- A hands-on examination to find the source of the noise and to test how stable the joint is.
- Imaging where needed, such as an ultrasound scan to watch the tendons move, or an MRI scan to look at cartilage and ligaments.
You will not always need a scan. Many clicking ankles are diagnosed from the examination alone.
If you would like a clear answer, you can book a private foot and ankle assessment and discuss your symptoms in detail.
Treatment options for a clicking ankle
Treatment depends entirely on the cause. A painless click often needs nothing more than reassurance. When there is a problem behind the noise, most people start with non-surgical care.
Non-surgical care
Many ankle problems improve without an operation. Your consultant will tailor the plan to you, and it may include:
- Physiotherapy to build strength and improve balance, which can help an unstable ankle feel steadier.
- Activity changes and supportive footwear or insoles to take pressure off the joint.
- A short course of pain relief, where appropriate, is used as advised by a pharmacist or doctor.
- An ankle brace or support during higher-risk activities.
For ankle instability after a sprain, structured rehabilitation is often the first step, and many people recover well with it.2
Minimally invasive and surgical options
If non-surgical care does not settle the problem, your consultant may discuss a procedure. Where suitable, minimally invasive or keyhole techniques can mean smaller scars and a faster recovery than open surgery.
Examples include keyhole (arthroscopic) treatment of a cartilage lesion, repair of the tissue that holds the peroneal tendons in place, or reconstruction of loose ligaments. Your consultant will explain the likely benefits and risks so you can decide together. No procedure can guarantee a particular outcome.
You can read more about the foot and ankle treatments available and how they are used.
What you can do at home
While you wait for an assessment, there is plenty you can do to look after your ankle. None of this replaces medical advice, but it is a sensible starting point.
The NHS suggests resting and raising the ankle when you can, wearing wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel, using soft insoles or heel pads, and trying regular gentle stretching.3 It also advises against standing for long periods and against wearing high heels or tight, pointy shoes.3
Gentle, regular movement helps most ankles. Our guide to stretches to improve foot and ankle flexibility is a good place to start. If your ankle keeps spraining, our advice on how an ankle sprain is treated may also help.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad if my ankle clicks but does not hurt?
Usually not. A painless click with no swelling and no giving way is often harmless, and it is commonly caused by gas bubbles in the joint or a tendon moving over bone. If the click ever starts to hurt, or your ankle feels unstable, it is worth getting it checked.
Why does my ankle click more after a sprain?
A sprain can stretch the ligaments that keep your ankle stable. If they do not heal fully, the joint can feel loose and may click or give way. This is known as chronic ankle instability and it often improves with physiotherapy.
Can a clicking ankle lead to arthritis?
A simple, painless click does not cause arthritis. However, an untreated cartilage injury or long-standing instability can, over time, increase wear in the joint. This is one reason it is sensible to have a painful or unstable ankle assessed.
Should I stop exercising if my ankle clicks?
If the click is painless and your ankle feels stable, you can usually keep active. If you have pain, swelling, or a feeling that the ankle might give way, ease off and get advice before you push through.
What kind of doctor treats a clicking ankle?
A GP is a good first port of call. For ongoing or complex problems, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in the foot and ankle, often working alongside a physiotherapist, can assess the joint and recommend treatment.
When should I worry about a clicking ankle?
Seek advice if the click comes with pain, swelling, locking, or a sense that the ankle may buckle. Follow NHS guidance and contact NHS 111 for severe pain, a change in the shape of the ankle, or if you cannot walk.3
Speak to a foot and ankle specialist
If your ankle is clicking and you would like a clear answer, our team can help. We offer same-day and next-day private appointments across London, in person or by video, with no GP referral needed.
You can book an appointment online or contact our team to discuss your symptoms.
References
- Willegger M, Hirtler L, Schwarz GM, Windhager RH, Chiari C. Peroneal tendon pathologies: from the diagnosis to treatment. Orthopade. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34160639/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Sprains and strains. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/sprains-strains/
- NHS. Ankle pain. https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/foot-pain/ankle-pain/