Are you worried about your Ankle Pain?
There are a number of things you should try to avoid if you are experiencing ankle pain including:
- Strenuous physical activity
- Long walks
- Standing for long periods of time
- Wearing tight footwear, such as high heels,
If the pain is mild to moderate, there are certain things you can try at home without seeking further medical assistance that could aid in recovery. These things should only be tried first if the pain is not severe and there are no obvious signs of a break or fracture.
- Rest - Getting off your feet and not subjecting them to more physical activity, weight, and stress.
- Ice - Using ice packs on the area of injury to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Compress - Wrapping the foot in a bandage or compression sleeve (not too tight)
- Elevate - Lying down with the foot raised and supported can also help to alleviate pain and reduce further swelling.
Urgent medical care may be needed if you experience:
- Severe ankle pain,
- Are unable to bear weight,
- Feeling faint and dizzy,
- Hear a snap or loud pop when the injury occurred
- Your ankle, lower leg, or foot is at an unusual angle or has changed shape.
You should consider consulting a GP if your ankle pain has been around for weeks, continues to get worse, is affecting your day-to-day life, or you find you lose the sensation in your foot.
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Avulsion fracture
- Broken foot
- Bursitis (joint inflammation)
- Gout (arthritis related to excess uric acid)
- Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Plantar fasciitis
- Pseudogout
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
- Septic arthritis
- Sprained ankle
- Stress fractures
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
What can cause ankle pain without injury?
Experiencing ankle pain without injury is not uncommon and can be a sign of something much more serious or an underlying medical condition that has been untreated. The most common causes of ankle pain without injury are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Irregular foot arch
- Reactive arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases (including lupus)
- Infections
- Gout
In order to treat ankle pain that has occurred without injury, a doctor will need to perform a physical examination of your foot and ankle to find the possible signs of an underlying condition.
What are the signs of gout in the ankle?
Gout can be a serious issue that affects you daily and is causing pain in your ankle. It should not be self-diagnosed and will need to be assessed by a doctor.
Common signs of gout in the ankle include:
- Swelling and tenderness in and around the ankle
- Ankle stiffness or the inability to freely move your ankle
- Visible appearance may be red or feel warm to touch
Gout in the ankle may be treated with medication and your doctor may suggest making significant changes to your diet including lowering your intake of purine rich foods and drinks including red meat, seafood (such as tuna and sardines), Sugary drinks, alcohol and liver meat or any other organ meat.
What are the signs of arthritis in your ankles?
Arthritis refers to joint inflammation and may be chronic or acute. In the human foot there are 30 joints. If you experience arthritis in your foot, you are commonly likely to feel the symptoms in:
- The joint of the foot bone and the big toe
- The 3 joints that make up the heel bone, and the inner and outer mid foot bone
- The joint the join the ankle and shinbone
It is important to not self-diagnose and seek medical advice and a medical diagnosis from a doctor.
Common symptoms of arthritis in the ankle include:
- Swelling and tenderness that causes pain
- Ankle stiffness
- Limited ability to freely move or walk
If you are suffering from arthritis in the ankle your doctor will outline the next steps whether the treatment involves surgical or non-surgical methods. Non-surgical methods may include:
Joint Support Bracing
- Physiotherapy
- Medication including anti-inflammatory or steroid medication