Common Causes of Ankle Pain
Ankle pain, whether it is caused by a sprain, fracture, or inflammation, can affect your ability to carry out daily activities. If you are unable to put weight on your ankle, it’s a good idea to seek immediate medical help. The number one cause of ankle pain is a sprain, most commonly in the ligament on the outside of the ankle. This is caused when the foot rolls inward, forcing the outside of the ankle to stretch beyond its normal range. A sprained ankle can be caused by stepping off the curb and landing incorrectly on your foot or during a sports or running injury. Rheumatoid arthritis is another major cause of ankle pain. This type of arthritis attacks the lining of the joints and results in painful inflammation. Osteoarthritis also causes ankle pain. In this form of arthritis, the cartilage between the bones deteriorates, causing extreme pain as the bones rub against each other. It more commonly affects people over 65 years old. Flat feet, ankle fractures, and Achilles tendonitis are other causes of ankle pain. Treatment for ankle pain depends on cause and severity. It is a good idea to consult a podiatrist as soon as possible for an examination and a diagnosis. The podiatrist can then determine the proper treatment options for you.
Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from InStride Family Foot Care. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
- Ankle sprains
- Broken ankles
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fractures
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Concord, Charlotte, and Salisbury, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
