Understanding Ankle Pain

Ankle pain can occur due to injuries, chronic conditions, or infection and inflammation. Mild cases typically heal with home remedies such as rest, ice, over-the-counter medications and elevation, but more serious cases may require surgery. Treating ankle pain early supports the natural healing process so you can feel better faster and prevent further complications.

Why Do I Have Pain in My Ankle?

The following ankle pain causes can lead to mild or serious discomfort:

Injuries

Sharp pain may occur due to the following injuries:

• Sprain: Pain from an ankle sprain is often a sharp discomfort that worsens when you put weight on your foot. Sprains occur when ankle ligaments stretch too far or tear, and they are common after twisting or rolling your ankle.
• Fracture: An ankle fracture is a break in one or more of your ankle joint bones. It typically occurs during sports, motor vehicle accidents and falls. You can also break your ankle by misstepping and rolling it.
• Achilles tendon tear or rupture: The Achilles tendon is located above the back of your ankle and connects your heel bone to your calf muscles. If it tears or ruptures due to overuse or a sudden increase in activity, you may experience a popping sound and a sudden sharp pain.
• Heel bursitis: Heel bursitis occurs when the fluid sac between the Achilles tendon and heel bone becomes inflamed. It can develop due to overuse, improper footwear, infection or a chronic condition such as arthritis.
• Sinus tarsi syndrome (STS): STS is a painful swelling in the space between the heel and ankle bones. It often causes pain that heightens with extended activity, pain when turning the foot out or in, instability and swelling.
• Sural nerve entrapment: A sural nerve entrapment is a pinched nerve in the ankle that can cause pain, tingling or numbness.

Chronic Conditions

You may experience ankle pain if you have one of these chronic conditions:

• Arthritis: Arthritis can affect any of the 30 joints in your ankles and feet. It often occurs due to the natural wear and tear that comes with aging, but some injuries and conditions, such as lupus, can also cause it. If you develop arthritis, you may experience joint pain, a reduced range of motion, warmth near your joints, swelling and tenderness.
• High arch feet: A high arch in the foot prevents the flexible part of your foot from touching the ground when you place weight on it. This can cause ankle pain due to the excessive pressure it places on the heel and ball of the foot.
• Flat feet: Flat feet can cause the ankle to roll inward and stress the tendons surrounding the ankle joint.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation, which can lead to pain and swelling in the ankles.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS): TTS compresses a nerve in the ankle, which can cause pain, weakness, tingling and numbness in the ankle and sole of the foot.

Inflammation or Infection

The following infections and conditions can cause ankle inflammation and discomfort:

• Podiatric osteomyelitis: Osteomyelitis is an infection that occurs when fungi or bacteria enter and multiply in the bone. It typically causes pain, swelling, redness, warmth in the foot or ankle, and fever.
• Achilles tendinitis: Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon that causes heel and ankle pain, swelling, tendon stiffness or tenderness, and leg weakness.

When to See a Doctor

Seeking medical attention is important if you notice the following signs or symptoms:

• Severe pain
• Persistent pain
• Difficulty walking or putting weight on the ankle
• Difficulty moving the ankle
• Swelling, bruising and tenderness
• Warmth and redness around the affected area
• A fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Cracking or popping noise
• Open wound
• Noticeable deformity

You should also see a doctor for ankle pain if you have a chronic condition such as scleroderma, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors can prevent further complications that could arise with these conditions.

Importance of Early Diagnosis and Addressing Pain Quickly

Addressing ankle pain quickly is essential for feeling better and getting back to where you want to be. Proper diagnosis and treatment help your ankle heal and strengthen properly, preventing further complications such as chronic instability.

A doctor can identify the root cause of your ankle pain by performing a physical examination. If needed, they may also order an imaging test, such as an MRI or X-ray, to determine the best treatment.

How to Fix Ankle Pain

Depending on the cause and severity of your pain, the following types of ankle treatment can help:

At-Home Remedies and Care

For mild ankle pain, you can try the rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) method at home and notice how you feel:

• Rest: Avoid putting weight on your affected ankle for one to three days.
• Ice: Apply an ice pack to your ankle for 10 to 20 minutes. Do this three times throughout the day.
• Compression: Wrap an elastic bandage around your ankle so that it’s snug but still comfortable. The compression provides support and helps reduce swelling.
• Elevation: Keep your ankle elevated above your heart level to help drain fluid and reduce swelling.

Seek medical attention if pain or swelling persists after using the RICE method for two or three days. Stopping this method after 48 to 72 hours is important for your body’s natural healing process.

Surgical Solutions for Severe Ankle Pain

Minor ankle sprains typically heal without surgery, but you may need surgery for the following types of injuries or conditions:

• Moderate to severe sprains
• Ligament tears
• Serious fractures
• Ankle breaks
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates has a team of highly trained surgeons to provide safe, efficient care. We offer procedures such as the following to help you heal and regain mobility in the ankle:

• Ankle fusion
• Tendon repair
• Ligament reconstruction
• Ankle fracture surgery
• Ankle replacement
• Ankle arthroscopy

Rehabilitation or Physical Therapy

In some cases, a doctor may recommend rehabilitation or physical therapy to help strengthen the area, restore mobility, improve balance and prevent future injury. A physical therapist guides you through safe, beneficial exercises after you heal from an ankle injury or surgery. Your rehabilitation team may also recommend wearing a supportive device or brace for a while to help improve mobility. Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates offers supportive physical therapy services to help improve your quality of life.

Ongoing Specialist Care

Ongoing specialist care may be necessary if your ankle requires continual physical therapy or monitoring. Ongoing care may involve physical therapy sessions or occasional consultations with a podiatrist or orthopedic doctor.

Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can help relieve ankle pain as you heal. Your doctor may recommend stronger prescription medication to help you recover from ankle surgery or manage pain from a chronic condition.

How to Prevent Ankle Pain and Injuries

The following pain management techniques can help you prevent ankle injuries and pain:

• Wearing supportive footwear that your podiatrist recommends
• Completing stretches and warmup routines before engaging in sports or exercise
• Performing balance exercises to prevent falls
• Attending regular checkups to maintain joint health

Trust Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates for Your Ankle Pain Treatment

Treating ankle pain early is essential for proper healing and improved mobility. Foot & Ankle Surgical Associates offers compassionate, personalized care to help you recover from ankle injuries and manage chronic pain.

From surgical procedures to physical therapy, we offer comprehensive treatment options at five locations in Washington. Our teams consist of highly trained experts, and we are dedicated to providing care you can depend on. Contact us to learn more about how we can provide ankle pain relief and help you regain some or all of your mobility.

Linked Sources

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459212/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430844/
• https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/ankylosing-spondylitis
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513273/
• https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001982.htm#:~:text=Normal%20body%20temperature%20varies%20by,lowest%20in%20the%20early%20morning.
• https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/rice-protocol-for-injuries
• https://fasafw.com/foot-ankle/foot-ankle-surgery-centers/
• https://fasafw.com/wellness/physical-therapy/
• https://fasafw.com/#email-form