Ankle Pain

What causes ankle pain?

Your ankles bear an incredible amount of stress. They support your body, help maintain balance, propel you forward, and absorb the pressure every time your feet hit the ground. These factors make your ankles vulnerable to painful injuries.

Common causes of ankle pain include:

• Ligament sprains
• Stress fractures
• Traumatic fractures
• Achilles tendon tears
• Achilles tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Bursitis

Sprains are the top cause of ankle pain. A sprain occurs when you twist your ankle, stretching or tearing one of the ligaments.

What symptoms accompany ankle pain?

The problems responsible for ankle pain usually cause other symptoms. You may experience: 

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Instability
• Numbness
• Open wound
• Inability to bear weight on your ankle

If you have severe pain or swelling, an open wound, or can't put weight on your foot, you should immediately schedule an appointment. You also need to see Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine if your swelling or pain doesn't improve in a few days.

Many people put off getting help for a sprain. But without treatment, the ligament may not regain its natural strength. Then you end up with chronic ankle instability and recurrent sprains. 

How is ankle pain diagnosed?

After reviewing your medical history and learning about your symptoms and how you hurt your ankle, your provider examines the ankle. Your exam may include several manual tests that allow your provider to identify the underlying problem. However, they may also need to take diagnostic images to view the structures.

How is ankle pain treated?

After confirming your diagnosis, your provider creates a customized treatment plan that may include any of the following:

• Ice and elevation
• Compression wrap
• Temporarily changing your activities
• Immobilizing your ankle
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Joint injections
• Physical therapy

Physical therapy is an essential part of helping your ankle heal. Your physical therapist uses many exercises and techniques to reduce swelling, rebuild strength, and restore the ankle's movement.

Though surgery is usually the last resort, you will need prompt surgery for a complex fracture. You may also need surgery for other ankle problems, such as a torn ligament.

If you need help managing ankle pain, call the experts at Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, or book an appointment online today.