Multiple reports say ankle pain is common among older adults in Britain, with research cited that nearly one in five people aged over 55 experience painful ankle symptoms. The outlets describe ankle pain as the second most sore joint after knees. They also say that, for many patients, identifying the underlying cause can be difficult, even when symptoms are frequent and painful.
The reporting frames the issue as one where an “invisible” or hard-to-spot problem may be involved, suggesting that some cases are not promptly recognized by patients or clinicians. While the provided excerpts do not specify the exact medical condition behind the “invisible” problem, the overall message across sources is that ankle pain affects a substantial portion of the older population and that the true cause may be overlooked.
Overall, the articles focus on the prevalence of ankle pain in those over 55 and on diagnostic uncertainty, emphasizing that the reason for symptoms may be less apparent than expected.