ankle pain Treatment
Ankle pain, while initially thought of as an issue for athletes, can affect anyone at anytime. Simple, everyday activities, such as walking or running on an uneven surface, have the possibility of causing serious harm to one’s ankle.
what is ankle pain?
Ankle pain is pain or discomfort that occurs in the area around the ankle joint. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, overuse, arthritis, and certain medical conditions.
symptoms
Some signs that point to the potential of an ankle injury include pain towards the affected area, swelling, bruising, or an inability to walk or bear weight on the affected area. You may also notice an increase in the height of the arch of the inflicted foot. In order to understand why the injury occurred, a podiatrist will often question the patient about the events leading up to their ankle discomfort. An x-ray of the leg or foot may also be performed to discover what’s harming the ankle.
Meet with our team to get started on your treatment for ankle pain.
what causes ankle pain?
Some common causes of pain in ankles include:
- Sprained Ankle: An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn, usually due to a sudden twisting or rolling motion. This is a common cause of ankle pain, particularly during activities like sports or walking on uneven surfaces.
- Fracture: An ankle fracture refers to a broken bone in the ankle joint. It can occur as a result of a fall, direct trauma, or excessive force. Fractures can cause severe pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle.
- Achilles Tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It often results from repetitive stress or overuse, and it can cause pain and stiffness in the back of the ankle.
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the ankle joint, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. It commonly occurs with age and wear-and-tear on the joint.
- Gout: Gout is a type of arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It can affect the ankle, leading to sudden and severe pain, redness, and swelling.
- Tendonitis: Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, which can occur in the ankle due to overuse or repetitive stress. It can cause pain, tenderness, and difficulty with movement.
- Ankle Impingement: Ankle impingement occurs when soft tissues or bone structures in the ankle joint become compressed, leading to pain and limited range of motion. It can be caused by repetitive activities or previous injuries.
- Ankle Instability: Ankle instability refers to a condition where the ankle joint feels unstable or gives way easily. It can result from repeated ankle sprains or ligament damage, causing chronic pain and a feeling of ankle weakness.
- Infection: In rare cases, infections can affect the ankle joint, causing pain, redness, warmth, and swelling. Infections may occur following an injury or surgery, or they can be due to an underlying systemic infection.
- Other causes: Other factors such as tendinopathy, nerve compression, autoimmune conditions, or referred pain from another area can also contribute to ankle pain.
it’s important to have proper diagnose of the problem before trying any treatment, as self-treatment can cause more damage. If the pain is severe or accompanied by swelling, bruising, or redness, or if it is accompanied by a fever or other signs of infection, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
ankle pain treatment
There are many different types of ankle injuries, such as ankle sprains, fractures, strains, and tendonitis. To relieve discomfort caused by these conditions, it’s recommended to get plenty of rest, use ice to reduce swelling and ease pain, compress the injured ankle by wrapping it for support, and elevate the ankle to reduce swelling.