Ankle pain has a host of causes. All you know is that it hurts, it’s difficult to walk and you’re favoring your opposite leg…..
How common is ankle pain?
Ankle pain and injuries are very common. Especially if you:
- Are over age 65.
- Play sports or do activities that involve jumping, side-to-side movements or quick changes in direction.
- Carry extra weight or are obese.
- Have Rheumatic inflammation and other underlying diseases.
What are the 4 most likely causes for ankle pain?
Always visit a physician to determine if your pain is caused by one of these examples or something else. This way you’re properly diagnosed and can start a course of treatment right away.
The Following are Four Common Causes of Ankle Pain.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprains are the most common ankle ailments in children and adults. A sprain means you’ve damaged ligaments — which are tough rope-like bands of tissue that connect to your ankle bones.
It’s easy to sprain these hardworking ligaments. All it takes is a tiny misstep on an uneven surface and your ankle turns at an awkward angle then, “AHH MY ANKLE!”
- Wearing high heels or playing sports also puts you at high risk for an ankle sprain.
Ankle sprains can be mild, meaning a stretched ligament, moderate (partial tear) or severe (a total tear).
Mild or moderate sprains rarely require surgery but until you can get checked out use the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) until you can see a physician.
Ankle strain
An Ankle Strain is not to be mistaken for an Ankle Sprain.
A strain is when you’ve stretched or torn a tendon or muscle around your ankle. The muscle or tendon gets inflamed and you’ll experience pain and immediate swelling at the site.
- Acute strains can occur following a slip and fall on a patch of ice or while running and jumping during your favorite activity like tennis.
- Chronic strains usually occur due to longer-term overuse of the ankle muscles that come with years of being very active or playing sports.
Ankle arthritis
We have 3 bones that form our ankle joint that work together smoothly when we move. Each bone has cartilage and soft tissues that help cushion that space between those 3 bones, and as we age that cartilage ages as well.
The aged cartilage can become frayed and thin causing the bones to rub together which can result in ankle osteoarthritis.
Pain in the ankle and/or foot can also be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects tissues throughout the body, causing damage to the blood vessels, nerves, and tendons.
A little fact: Deformities of the hands and feet are the more obvious signs of RA and most commonly develop between the ages of 40 and 60. Women are affected more often than men, with a ratio of up to 3 to 1.
Achilles tendonitis
An Achilles tendon injury can happen to anyone, whether you’re an athlete or just going about your everyday life.
It’s the largest tendon in your body and it stretches from the bones of your heel all the way to your calf muscles. You can feel it right now- it’s that springy band of tissue on the back of your ankle right above your heel.
When an Achilles tendon injury happens your doctor may suggest surgery but there’s also a nonsurgical route that involves physical therapy and shockwave therapy.
We’re here for you.
There are several reasons aside from these four for ankle injuries above. Our board-certified physicians at Eagle Rock Medical, located in Idaho Falls, ID.,
handle all conditions and injuries of the foot and ankle. In partnership with our neuropathy, regenerative medicine and diagnostics centers, we also treat people who have complex orthopedic or neuropathic issues connected to foot related complications of diabetes.
We know how to diagnose your pain with no delay so that you receive the proper treatment and prevent further damage to your tissue, bones and nerves.
To get a consultation for your ankle or foot pain book an appointment online with us now, or contact us directly at
(208) 877-4788.