Ankle Pain Has Many Causes

Your ankle is a complex structure consisting of many interconnected parts, including bones, tendons, muscles, and other tissues susceptible to stress and injury. In fact, ankle sprains and strains are among the most frequent causes of visits to the foot doctor. You can minimize the chances of injuring an ankle by doing ankle strength and flexibility exercises and by properly warming up and cooling down when you exercise or perform strenuous activities.

Below are 7 common causes or contributing factors to having ankle pain and discomfort include the following:

  1. Fractures—Stress fractures and other types of breaks can cause direct ankle pain.

  2. Achilles tendinitis

  3. Sprains—Ankle sprains are one of the most common ailments treated by podiatrists.

  4. Bursitis

  5. Gout

  6. Radiating arch pain—Arch problems like plantar fasciitis can cause ankle pain.

  7. Various kinds of arthritis—The stiffness of arthritis causes ankle pain and mobility problems.

The RICE protocol is a proven method for the initial treatment of many foot and ankle injuries:

  • Rest—Immediately stop the activity that caused the ankle trauma.

  • Ice—Apply an ice pack several times per day for 15 minutes each time.

  • Compression—Compression wraps minimize movement and reduce swelling.

  • Elevation —Lying down and raising your foot on a pillow above your heart will help fluid drain from the ankle.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen or Tylenol can also help reduce swelling and pain.

If your ankle pain and swelling don’t begin to subside after several hours, you may have a severe injury requiring assistance from your foot care professional. Properly treating ankle sprains is essential for avoiding chronic ankle instability.

Get in touch with Maple Springs Foot Center, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland . Our podiatrists, Dr. Stuart Snyder and Dr. Sara Sharma, Dr. Sahar Zadeh can help you manage all of your foot and ankle conditions, including heel pain, foot & ankle injuries, toe deformities, toenails disorders, and plantar warts. (301) 762-3338 or make an appointment online today.

ankle pain, sports injuriesMaple Springs Foot CenterMaple Springs Foot Center, LLC